Science and Storytelling: An Interdisciplinary Symposium [SASS]
Sponsored by the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
University of Kentucky
Topic: Using storytelling to make science more accessible to lay audiences.
This symposium explores how storytelling can help scientists address problems such as public distrust and denialism, declining science literacy levels, and low levels of public engagement. Public attitudes towards COVID mandates and policymakers’ sluggish responses to climate research are obvious (and dangerous) examples of science denialism. Misunderstanding basic concepts such as what a hypothesis is or what data reported in the news means also puts people at risk. Science literacy has been linked to enhanced critical thinking skills. Scholars such as Rita Charon argue that the act of listening to or telling a story can help forge deeper connections between speakers and audiences. In educational settings, stories help listeners remember and engage with information.
We believe that sharing experiences with storytelling across disciplines will help participants develop valuable strategies for engaging audiences and combatting misinformation.
Subtopics
The symposium organizers invite students, teachers, scholars, and experts to address how they use storytelling
- in science classrooms
- for public outreach
- in healthcare settings
- to describe scientific research to academic audiences
- to inform or persuade policymakers about science-based topics
- with images to convey scientific information
About the Symposium
The Science and Storytelling Symposium [SASS] will take place on April 5 and 6 2024. April 5 will include face to face sessions: April 6 will be held remotely and include international participants.
We encourage traditional presentations and interactive sessions. Panel submissions (of no more than three presenters) are also welcome. Each presenter should plan to take 15 minutes. Each hour will end with fifteen minutes of Q and A for the presenters.
Although registration is required, there is no registration fee thanks to our sponsors.
Guide for authors
Abstracts for individual presentations should be 250 words in length (max). Panel abstracts should be 500 words in length (max). They must include name(s) of presenter(s), project title, and departmental/institutional affiliation. To submit your abstract, please email it directly to Katherine Rogers-Carpenter at K.Rogers-Carpenter@uky.edu.
Important Dates
Deadline for submission: November 20, 2023, 11:59pm EDT
Notification of acceptance: February 5, 2024 11:59 EDT
Registration Deadline: March 15, 2024 11:59 EDT
Enquiries:
For enquiries regarding the symposium, please contact: K.Rogers-Carpenter@uky.edu
We look forward to seeing you at Science and Storytelling!
Sincerely,
Katherine Rogers-Carpenter
Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies