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https://phys.org/news/2025-04-science-storytelling-desperately-climate-biodiversity.html>
'Scientists should experiment with creative ways of communicating their work to
inspire action to protect the natural world, researchers say.
Scientists primarily publish their work in academic journals, where writing is
expected to be technical, objective and dispassionate—making it unlikely to
appeal to—or be easily understood by—non-experts.
The researchers—from the University of Exeter—argue for science "translated
into stories," with benefits both for science and wider society. They suggest
ways that scientists can tell powerful, passionate stories without compromising
the objectivity of science.
The paper, published in the journal
People and Nature, is titled "We are
storytelling apes: experimenting with new scientific narratives in a time of
climate and biodiversity collapse."
"As environmental scientists ourselves, we feel frustration, a sense of loss,
fear and sometimes helplessness at the lack of action to protect the planet,"
said Professor Karen Anderson, from the Environment and Sustainability
Institute on Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
"But researchers are expected to be rational—not emotional—for fear of being
seen as less objective and trustworthy. This prevents scientists from using
their knowledge, passion and creative skills to fully communicate the work."
Dr. Katherine Crichton said the current method of academic writing emerged in
the 17th and 18th centuries, with "gentleman scientists" writing for each
other.
"That form of writing clearly has its place—but we're not only debating
technical aspects of science for academic interest," Dr. Crichton said.
"Everybody should be interested in the climate and biodiversity crisis—we are
talking about our home, and that subject is too important to be confined to
academic journals."'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
