Thread by @iamscicomm

[Day4: Strengths & Limits of #SciComm forms, media, & spaces]
It's theory vs practice day!

There are loads of resources out there for #BestPractices. Today, let's discuss the strengths & limitations YOU've found in trying #STEM #storytelling, #comedy, #SciArt, #digital, & more!

I'll start w/ my favorite resources: @edbeltane & @OliverEscobar's "Public Dialogue & Delibration" & #WendyFaulkner's "Dialogue in #PublicEngagement" handbooks.

How do participant #communication styles impede/help your purpose, eg. #dialogue vs #debate?
beltanenetwork.org/DialogueTheory…

These have been crucial in my understanding of #experiencedesign when creating events or experiences for diverse #scicomm audiences & participants.

There's a purpose for panels and debates. But also a reason why they fail in "changing minds" or creating power-balanced convos.

[When #Storytelling works & doesn't work...]

Storytelling is a powerful form for #SciComm. It's also a crucial aspect of #STEM-inspired #experiencedesign at @GuerillaScience. But when does it work vs NOT work?

Recommended resource: @MargotLeitman's #LongStoryShort

Is this gonna be a hot-take?

In #LongStoryShort, @MargotLeitman reminds budding #storytellers that sometimes there are stories that just aren't ready to be shared. The #storytelling equation includes a "hero" who has changed in the end, we need to time to digest our experiences.

Reflecting on my use of personal narrative #STEM storytelling, especially as a minority. In general, it's powerful in getting audiences to empathize.

BUT it didn't work when the power imbalance was clear & my experience was a "privileged problem" compared to my audience's cares.

Recommended Resources: "Why the Myth of Meritocracy Hurts Kids of Color"
theatlantic.com/education/arch…

I also highly recommend tuning into @TheRealHipHopEd Tuesday convos on #HipHopEd.

If you are running workshops, hiring #SciComm instructors, or giving spots for keynote speakers, this is also why I cannot emphasize enough getting DIVERSE #STEM SciComm instructors & getting outside our silos to find people who'll inspire different perspective on the same topic.

[When #Comedy works & doesn't work]
On #ScienceComedy: the various forms come w/ their own comedic equations, strengths&weaknesses.

From #humor #satire #sketch, #standup, #character, #improv, the #comedytheory on what makes them work is dictated by time+audience+ space+platform.

Recommended #Comedy resources for the #methods folks like me:

TED talks & papers by: @HumorResearch's @PeterMcGraw; @sophiescott; @KashaPatel; @drewtarvin

Mel Helitzer's #ComedyWritingSecrets - who created the 1st US college course on humor writing

@Alingon's #GreatSets2019

Back to when #comedy doesn't quite work for your audience.

Here's a #science-inspired #character I wrote & performed FOR a comedy audience. There are versions that have more #anatomy & #SexEd - it's a whole series.

What if a #Clitoris could talk...

I've performed this at shows across NYC to a predominantly mixed-demographic audience. It gets a great response & unexpectedly have had cis-men come up to me & say they loved it & learned from it 🤣

What I didn't expect: performing at @AsianAFshow & the response wasn't as strong

I haven't completely unlocked why tried & tested punchlines didn't land quite as hard, but my hypothesis is closer to how our Asian culture perceives & discusses sex, especially from the perspective of the female experience.

So perhaps that could've been a barrier 🤷🏽‍♀️

For #sciencecomedy #academicstandup, we're trying to balance #WordEconomy (get to the point quickly & get your laugh) and providing enough of a setup/context so the audience understands WHY what you're making them laugh & learn about matters to them.

#comedytheory #SciComm

Cultural environment matters. In my experience doing #sciencecomedy #academicstandup in the US & UK is that UK's comedy culture allows for more thinky setups b/c they've had plenty of incredible comedians who do thinky comedy.

In contrast, US standup is about # laughs per minute

What does this mean when trying to communicate your #STEM research thru #SciComm #comedy?

- you might have to reset the tone/feel of a space
- work harder to prime the audience (can't emphasize enough how hosting is its own skill)
- some spaces/platforms are easier than others

[Strengths & limitations of different #SciComm Media]

From short & longform writing, pods, #YouTube, #ScienceInstagram, #ScienceTwitter, #tiktok, & more. What MEDIA & platforms do you dabble in for your #STEM communication?

What have you found to be their strength & weakness?

From the @iamscicomm archives, an old convo on strengths/limitations of #Viral #Hashtags

https://twitter.com/iamscicomm/status/981574539883810816