Fresh off the press in Science Communication! 📰🔬 When viewers watch scientists on screen, what actually drives their connection, trust, and alignment?
Our new study examines closed and open-ended survey responses from a nationally representative US survey of our feature documentary OBSERVER to uncover how audiences construct relationships with scientists in film.
We are thrilled to share our new open-access paper: “Forming Relationships With Scientists Through Film: A Qualitative Study of Viewers’ Trust, Identification, and Value Alignment” By Dr. Nicole Krause, Dr. Emily Howell, and SCL Executive Director Dr. Sarah Goodwin.
Key Empirical Takeaways:
* Beyond Credentials: Viewers overwhelmingly evaluate scientists through relational and affective qualities—citing curiosity, attentiveness, and open communication styles far more often than formal titles or social identities.
* Three Distinct Dimensions: The study demonstrates that trust, personal identification, and perceived value alignment represent distinct pathways of audience connection, rather than a single monolith.
* Evolving SciComm Models: Narrative media that highlights the human experience of inquiry offers a powerful mechanism for building public affinity and engagement.
This paper reflects a sustained research–practice partnership dedicated to grounding science storytelling in rigorous evidence.
🔗 Read the full open-access study: https://bit.ly/observerpub
#SciComm #ScienceCommunication #CivicScience #ObserverFilm #PublicEngagement #MediaResearch #AcademicPublishing #STEMEducation
The Science Communication Lab is thrilled to announce our partnership with Community Resources for Science (CRS), an organization that has been transforming science teaching and learning across the Bay Area since 1997!
CRS empowers teachers and STEM professionals in schools serving underrepresented minority and low-income communities to activate K–8 students’ curiosity, foster critical thinking, and give them opportunities to ‘do science’ through hands-on learning.
By pairing CRS’s dynamic network with SCL’s cinematic storytelling and free classroom tools, we are collaborating to expand access to media-rich science instruction—inspiring the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, and leaders.
🔗 Learn more about CRS and their impact: https://crscience.org/
#STEMEducation #BayAreaSTEM #SciComm #HandsOnScience #EquityInSTEM
“Observation which is something everyone can relate to[.] Everyone can observe.” 🔎🌱
How do we build trust and connection between scientists and the public? Hint: It’s not through listing credentials or dumping facts but through shared human curiosity.
In a recent conversation with Dr. Fanuel J. Muindi for the Civic Science Media Lab (CSML), our Executive Director Dr. Sarah Goodwin reflected on the intention and research behind our film OBSERVER:
“The most consistent takeaway across all our studies is this: when scientists show their humanity, their excitement, their failures, the uncertainty, people relate to them.” ~ Sarah Goodwin
From encouraging viewers to slow down in their own backyards to helping students broaden their perception of who can be scientists, our findings from hosting 80+ screenings of OBSERVER show that observation is a powerful and universal entry point into scientific thinking.
📖 Read the full interview: https://bit.ly/csmobserver
🎥 To learn more about the film or host your own screening, visit: https://observerfilm.org
🍎 Pro Tip: The film is FREE for educators to use in their classrooms!
#ObserverFilm #CivicScience #SciComm #ScienceCommunication #PublicEngagement
“Observation which is something everyone can relate to[.] Everyone can observe.” 🔎🌱
How do we build trust and connection between scientists and the public? Hint: It’s not through listing credentials or dumping facts but through shared human curiosity.
In a recent conversation with Dr. Fanuel J. Muindi for the Civic Science Media Lab (CSML), our Executive Director Dr. Sarah Goodwin reflected on the intention and research behind our film OBSERVER:
“The most consistent takeaway across all our studies is this: when scientists show their humanity, their excitement, their failures, the uncertainty, people relate to them.” ~ Sarah Goodwin
From encouraging viewers to slow down in their own backyards to helping students broaden their perception of who can be scientists, our findings from hosting 80+ screenings of OBSERVER show that observation is a powerful and universal entry point into scientific thinking.
📖 Read the full interview: https://bit.ly/csmobserver
🎥 To learn more about the film or host your own screening, visit: https://observerfilm.org
🍎 Pro Tip: The film is FREE for educators to use in their classrooms!
#ObserverFilm #CivicScience #SciComm #ScienceCommunication #PublicEngagement
Join us this Thursday, June 11 from 3-5 pm ET for a free virtual screening of OBSERVER hosted by College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University. The film screening will be followed by a conversation with Dr. Fanuel Muindi and our very own Dr. Sarah Goodwin. Don’t miss this if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to catch our award-winning film for free! Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/eWV5_M3z
Friendly reminder! Educators get free access to this film and more by signing up on our website: https://lnkd.in/ej636UbP
#ObserverFilm #ScienceCommunication #CivicScience #SciComm #Observation
Join us this Thursday, June 11 from 3-5 pm ET for a free virtual screening of OBSERVER hosted by College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University. The film screening will be followed by a conversation with Dr. Fanuel Muindi and our very own Dr. Sarah Goodwin. Don’t miss this if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to catch our award-winning film for free! Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/eWV5_M3z
Friendly reminder! Educators get free access to this film and more by signing up on our website: https://lnkd.in/ej636UbP
#ObserverFilm #ScienceCommunication #CivicScience #SciComm #Observation
Our Executive Director, Sarah Goodwin, recently sat down with Sneha Khedkar at The Scientist to talk about the evolution of the Science Communication Lab from our early days as #iBiology and why video is such a powerful medium for science education.
“There’s just something about the way documentaries can immerse people into the world that you’re presenting,” Sarah shares. “We really focus on…trying to illustrate how science is a human endeavor and how it’s not linear; it’s collaborative. You build on each other’s work. It’s about curiosity and exploring the unknown.”
By centering scientists and their authentic stories in our films, we show our students a more inclusive and relatable process of discovery — from the failures to its many wonders. What’s more, our films are paired with free hands-on lessons and resources for further exploration. Sign up via our website to access all our resources!
Thank you to TheScientist for highlighting our mission to make science accessible, engaging, and free for educators.
Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ghZEAD6D
Photo credit: Joy Asico/DCEFF
#ScienceCommunication #SciComm #Filmmaking #ScienceEducation #STEM
Our Executive Director, Sarah Goodwin, recently sat down with Sneha Khedkar at The Scientist to talk about the evolution of the Science Communication Lab from our early days as #iBiology and why video is such a powerful medium for science education.
“There’s just something about the way documentaries can immerse people into the world that you’re presenting,” Sarah shares. “We really focus on…trying to illustrate how science is a human endeavor and how it’s not linear; it’s collaborative. You build on each other’s work. It’s about curiosity and exploring the unknown.”
By centering scientists and their authentic stories in our films, we show our students a more inclusive and relatable process of discovery — from the failures to its many wonders. What’s more, our films are paired with free hands-on lessons and resources for further exploration. Sign up via our website to access all our resources!
Thank you to TheScientist for highlighting our mission to make science accessible, engaging, and free for educators.
Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ghZEAD6D
Photo credit: Joy Asico/DCEFF
#ScienceCommunication #SciComm #Filmmaking #ScienceEducation #STEM
How can documentary film foster action and trust with the public?
Join us next Tuesday 5/26 from 12-1 PM ET for the next Story Craft webinar to find out! Funded by the National Geographic Society, Story Craft brings together communication researchers and practitioners to explore evidence-based storytelling.
We’ll be discussing the research-practice partnership at the Science Communication Lab that led to the award-winning documentary, OBSERVER, and developed a comprehensive study on how diverse audiences relate to scientists. The film examines how observation is a fundamental human experience essential to how we understand our world.
🔗 Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/g3n_f3Xx
Story Craft is a collaboration between Dr. Reyhaneh Maktoufi and the Science Communication Lab.
#SciComm #ScienceCommunication #Storytelling #Documentary #ObserverFilm
How can documentary film foster action and trust with the public?
Join us next Tuesday 5/26 from 12-1 PM ET for the next Story Craft webinar to find out! Funded by the National Geographic Society, Story Craft brings together communication researchers and practitioners to explore evidence-based storytelling.
We’ll be discussing the research-practice partnership at the Science Communication Lab that led to the award-winning documentary, OBSERVER, and developed a comprehensive study on how diverse audiences relate to scientists. The film examines how observation is a fundamental human experience essential to how we understand our world.
🔗 Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/g3n_f3Xx
Story Craft is a collaboration between Dr. Reyhaneh Maktoufi and the Science Communication Lab.
#SciComm #ScienceCommunication #Storytelling #Documentary #ObserverFilm
The Science Communication Lab is excited to announce our partnership with the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), a leading nonprofit that strengthens science education by supporting science teachers across the country. NCSE helps educators confidently teach evolution, climate science, and the nature of science—topics that are essential for science literacy but often surrounded by misconceptions. Through NCSE’s extensive network of educators and schools, our films and classroom resources can reach thousands more teachers and students, while we also help amplify NCSE’s efforts to strengthen science literacy and evidence-based learning. Learn more about NCSE and our Bridging Gaps partnership at https://lnkd.in/gRSHUpEj
#SciComm #STEM #ScienceEducation
Continuing our celebration of #CAArborWeek, we’re diving into the mystery beneath our feet. Did you know that we only understand about 1% to 2% of the biology happening in the soil?
Our film, The Hidden World of Plant Roots, features Stanford biologist José R. Dinneny as he reveals how roots act as “explorers.” Using a specialized system called GLOW, researchers can finally see through the “veil of soil” to watch roots make real-time decisions—like sensing air pockets or growing vertically to find deep water during a drought.
This #ArborWeek, let’s appreciate the whole tree—from the highest leaf to the deepest root.
▶️ Watch now: https://lnkd.in/g4vFUqds
#PlantBiology #RootSystems #ForestHealth #PlantScience #SciComm
