URIs_MOMENTUM_Research_and_Innovation_Magazine_Spring_2021_M

IMPACTFUL SCIENTIFIC STORYTELLING written by HUGH MARKEY “What I’m bringing to the table is impact science storytelling, leveraging the power of both film and photography to help visualize these complex research stories that audiences need to know about to make decisions that will improve their lives.” - Jason Jaacks

APPROACH: COMMUNICATE:

Expand reach. Working with the public, scientists, journalists and other science communicators, the URI teams will translate plastics research and make it accessible with research- based communication strategies and educational techniques to inform and engage diverse audiences for individual and collective action.

His task is daunting: take a vast and complicated topic like plastics pollution and try to tell a compelling story of science and technology that educates, engages and inspires a broad audience to make good decisions about the health of the environment and their communities. Journalism Assistant Professor Jason Jaacks, of the University of Rhode Island (URI) Harrington School of Communication and Media, is a visual storyteller by training and trade. He has 10 years running a production company whose client list has included National Geographic, the New York Times and PBS Digital Studios , The Atlantic. “What I’m bringing to the table is impact science storytelling, leveraging the power of both film and photography to help visualize these complex research stories that audiences need to know about to make decisions that will improve their lives,” he said. “I help craft the narratives with researchers and visualize their process and results. I help scientists think through their important storytelling moments and make their research accessible for a broader impact.”

With his production company, Jaacks said he is often called in by the client at the end of a project, and then required to figure out a way to show the results to an audience. At URI, he’s in on the ground floor working with researchers from concept to conclusion. “Most researchers tend to think about science communications at the 11th hour,” he said. “They already have a lot on their plate and thinking about how best to communicate their work isn’t always a high priority.” He credits the unique URI communications approach in part to Professor Peter J. Snyder, URI’s vice president for research and economic development. Snyder’s idea was to bring scientific communication into the process from the very beginning, to think about how researchers can develop strategies and collaboration that would lead to a greater impact of the results of the science. This approach will tell that story in a much more effective way to engage the broader public, potential corporate partners, government agencies and grant sponsors.

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