Creation Process

Collaborating scientists and storytellers at Rutgers have successfully built a university-based science-in-action video storytelling model to test the research question: Can university scientists increase their relatability and public engagement through science-in-action video storytelling?  The result is more than a dozen high-visibility narratives that translated science to the public documenting scientists as they conducted their research as part of action packed narratives intended to humanize scientists as authentic people on journeys of discovery.

Our creative process is detailed in Building a collaborative, university-based science-in-action video storytelling model that translates science for public engagement and increases scientists’ relatability Seidel et al 2023 https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2022.1049648

Science-in-Action Video Storytelling: Documenting Research Over Time
We take the time to develop relationships of trust between scientists and science video storytellers.
Using professional video equipment, our scientists are documented on their journeys of inquiry,  capturing their scientific processes including research questions, data collection, challenges and scientific results. Our science-in-action stories are created from high quality documentary video footage filmed over weeks, months and even years. Our ratio of original science film footage to final edit is typically a hundred to one.
Developing a Trusting Relationship Between Scientists and Storytellers with Shared Research Goals

Science Process as Narrative

We see the scientific process as a story with real world scientists as our stories’ main characters. We present the scientific process as a journey of discovery led by scientists seeking solutions to critical challenges while sharing their choices, concerns and motivations with public audiences.

Increasing Public Trust in Science

We see the scientific process as a story with real world scientists as our stories’ main characters. We present the scientific process as a journey of discovery led by scientists seeking solutions to critical challenges while sharing their choices, concerns and motivations with public audiences.

STEM Learning through Science Storytelling

Our methodology uniquely bridges science learning and science communication by way of collaborative storytelling engaging scientists, students and the public. See our Research page for more information.

A Model Built to Serve Scientists

As scientists, we don’t have the time, nor expertise, to document our scientific process. Partnering with professional science-in-action storytellers exponentially increases our broader impact potential relative to time invested and the raw film footage serves as important data that we mine for years.

-Oscar Schofield