Podcast

PODCAST | Storytelling: A Way to Rebuild Science in the Public Mind

Heather Masson-Forsythe

This special storytelling episode is filled with AAAS STPF fellows sharing personal, funny, enlightening, and science-based stories.

The STEAM Team Affinity Group and Sci on the Fly recently co-sponsored a workshop for current AAAS STPF fellows and alumni titled, “Storytelling: A Way to Rebuild Science in the Public Mind”. This event was designed to promote the use of storytelling as a means for public engagement in science. We hosted an interactive workshop geared toward helping fellows find their storytelling voice, beginning with a 90-minute interactive workshop led by the non-profit Story Collider, followed by breakout rooms where fellows worked with each other in crafting their unique short stories. At the end of the day, participants had the opportunity to share their story on stage to a live audience.

In this episode, we present six stories from our workshop participants. You’ll hear about women’s work in ancient Athens, belief in the human capacity for growth, important life lessons from an Indian children’s tale, learn that being volatile can be a good thing, understand how essential culturally relevant science communication can be, and maybe even finally learn the difference between left and right.

 

Guests

Katherine Harrington, Ph.D., Archaeology & Social History
2023-24 Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation
Instagram

Courtney Gibbons, Ph.D., Mathematics
2022-23 Congressional Fellow at the U.S. Senate
2023-24 Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation
X; LinkedIn
https://crgibbons.github.io/

Luz Milbeth Cumba Garcia, Ph.D., Immunology
2022-23 Executive Branch Fellow at the U.S. Agency for International Development
2023-24 Executive Branch Fellow at the U.S. Department of State
X; Instagram; LinkedIn
luzcumbagarcia.com

Sudeep Kanungo, Ph.D., Geoscience
2022-24 Executive Branch Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy
LinkedIn

Karina Vega-Villa, Ph.D., Pharmaceutical Sciences
2022-24 Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation
LinkedIn

Sharon Homer-Drummond, Ph.D., Marine Ecology & Environmental Justice
2022-23 Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation
LinkedIn

Host

Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Biophysics
2022-24 AAAS Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation
X; LinkedIn; TikTok; Instagram
heathermassonforsythe.com

Producer

Heather Masson-Forsythe, Ph.D., Biochemistry & Biophysics
2022-24 Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation
XLinkedIn; TikTok; Instagram
heathermassonforsythe.com

Image: Heather Masson-Forsythe, Katherine Harrington, Karina Vega-Villa, Luz Milbeth Cumba Garcia, Sharon Homer-Drummond, Courtney Gibbons.

Disclaimer

This blog does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

Tags

Podcast
Science Communication

Share this article

Authors

Heather Masson-Forsythe

Masson-Forsythe, Heather: Fellowship 2022-2023 Masson-Forsythe, Heather: Fellowship 2023-2024

Heather completed her B.S. in Biology at the University of Central Arkansas in 2016 and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry & Biophysics at Oregon State University in 2021. During her Ph.D., Heather used a variety of molecular biology and biophysical methods to answer biological questions related to cataracts and COVID-19. In an effort to make science available to increasingly more diverse members of the community, Heather has created hundreds of TikTok videos discussing science & science culture, and have accumulated over 50K followers. She has also created numerous science articles, blog posts, and podcast episodes. Her greatest claim to fame to date is winning the COVID-19 category in the 2021 Dance Your Ph.D. contest.