Description:

The gap in scientific literacy and understanding among the public is expanding globally. It has allowed misinformation and distrust to flourish, resulting in a growing deficit in public engagement, a waning authority in public policy, and a shrinking relevancy in our media. It’s not for a lack of information or the outright denial of overwhelming data. The reasons go much deeper. While knowing why and how we communicate science to specific audiences is critical, science communication fails when it relies too much on the science. 

In this presentation we will make connections between design and science as twinning research practices to discover opportunities hidden inside ‘scicomm’ problems. We will also review examples for developing better strategies and tactics, challenging established perceptions with new perspectives, and exploring beyond the horizon with advanced research thinking. As witnesses to the rapidly emerging technological systems of the 21^st century, we must ask ourselves: What is the UX of science in the Imagination Age?

Speaker Bio: 

Nic DiPalma is an award-winning creative director and designer. He has worked in science communications, educational media, public television, documentary film, and digital product development. He has designed breakthrough opportunities for start-ups, global brands, non-profits, and government agencies.

Nic is also the founder and CEO of SpacetimeLabs, which launched in 2016 as a design research project in human-centered science communication for the public and non-experts. Today, they are an agency of scientists and designers developing advanced research projects in communications. Their programs and partners include The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, National Science Foundation, NASA, and MITRE Corporation.

The presentation will be held from 12:00-1:00 PM on Zoom. Zoom meeting information will be sent via email once you register.

Open to all Harvard affiliates. Please RSVP for the event below. If you have any questions, please contact libraryux@harvard.edu.

Accommodation Statement: Persons with disabilities who would like to request accommodations or have questions may contact the User Research Center at libraryux@harvard.edu in advance of the event.