Scientific advancement is dependent on communication between many different groups of people, including when presenting new findings to the wider world. Good communication is therefore crucial to the success of science, and in a time of fake news and sensationalist journalism, it’s perhaps more important than ever to effectively and meaningfully engage with the audience.
In this quest for inspiring diverse audiences with the latest scientific innovations, there is great potential for exploring methods outside of the conventional means of science communication, such as writing or presentations. Studies have shown that drawing on narratives and evoking emotion is an effective means of communicating science and promoting retention of knowledge. Science documentaries such as the BBC’s hugely popular Planet Earth and Blue Planet series use this approach to bring awareness to pressing topics, including climate change. Moving away from literal representations of science, sci-art is a growing discipline. This involves fusing science with visual art to produce an aesthetically engaging depiction of a topic, promoting interest and learning. And it doesn’t end there. In honour of International Dance Day, we are exploring the use of dance as a creative means of science communication. Read on to learn more.
Dance and narrative: a classical combination
Dance is an art form with a huge potential for visually portraying narrative and emotion. It has always been a medium for not only entertainment, but also for telling stories. It is intrinsically emotional, both for the dancer and the audience. Some studies suggest that audiences attribute characterisation and emotion even to abstract dances. Considering the appeal of visually representing science and the impact that narrative can have on emotional engagement and knowledge retention, does dance offer untapped potential for communicating scientific ideas?
In the spirit of scientific investigation, the combination of science and dance has begun to be explored.
Research suggests that dance can be an educational tool in the classroom. It can help students to understand complex concepts in a kinaesthetic way, or even be used in a research context, as an initial alternative to computer modelling. Beyond this, there are also some exciting examples of how dance performance can be used to enhance spoken information and entertain, engage and inform audiences about scientific topics.
Dance your PhD
The ‘Dance Your PhD’ contest has been running since 2008, inviting researchers to portray their PhD through dance. Entries cover scientific topics ranging from developmental biology and neuroscience to the electro-dynamics of superconductors, even continuing with social distancing measures in place.
Whilst dance background and training differ between entrants – and some entries seem more like an exercise in film-making or song-writing than in choreography – there is something very engaging about watching people physically represent their own research. And if audience engagement is the main goal of science communication, maybe they’re onto something. The creator of the contest, John Bohannon, explores this potential in his TED talk, ‘Dance vs. PowerPoint’. Part way into the talk, several dancers from the Black Label Movement dance company join Bohannon on stage and enact the concepts he describes, including his description of the physics of superfluids. The talk – or rather, performance – effectively makes the point that dancers can help to convey ideas to an audience in a captivating and compelling way, even when those ideas are as complex as lasers and particles.
The art of balance
In most of the explorations into dance performance for science communication, the dance is supported by words, either written, spoken or sung. This is inevitable in a discipline as complex as science, so it may be a challenge for dance to stand alone as a science communication tool. However, it clearly has the power to enhance the communication of otherwise complex and un-memorable information, embodying the narrative and eliciting emotion.
Whilst science will continue to rely on the careful and descriptive use of words to communicate findings, it is exciting to consider the possibilities of art forms such as dance in engaging with a wider audience.
If this blog made you feel like dancing, waltz on over to Twitter and get in touch with @GabyAtNotch, and follow @NotchCom for more content.
Further reading
- Dhanapal, S., Kanapathy, R. and Mastan, J. (2014). A study to understand the role of visual arts in the teaching and learning of science. Asia – Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 15(2), pp.1–25.
- Ellison, A., LeRoy, C., Landsbergen, K., Bosanquet, E., Borden, D., CaraDonna, P., Cheney, K., Crystal-Ornelas, R., DeFreece, A., Goralnik, L., Irons, E., Merkle, B., O’Connell, K., Penick, C., Rustad, L., Schulze, M., Waser, N. and Wysong, L. (2018). Art/Science Collaborations: New Explorations of Ecological Systems, Values, and their Feedbacks. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 99(2), pp.180-191.
- Georgieva, E. (2013). Science Choreography: Dance and Science in Education, Research, and Performance. Faseb Journal, 27, pp.Faseb Journal, 2013 Apr, Vol.27.
- Gervasio, A.H. (2012). Toward a Psychology of Responses to Dance Performance. Research in Dance Education, 13(3), pp.257–278.
- Jamieson, K.H.H., Kahan, D.A. and Scheufele, D.A. (2017). The Oxford Handbook Of The Science Of Science Communication, Oxford University Press.
- Negrete, A. and Lartigue, C. (2019). The science of telling stories: Evaluating science communication via narratives (RIRC method). Journal Media and Communication Studies, 2(4), pp.98-110.
- Tyng, C. M., Amin, H. U., Saad, M. and Malik, A. S. (2017). The Influences of Emotion on Learning and Memory. Frontiers in psychology, 8, p.1454.
Are dogs truly man’s best friend?
With working from home now a common occurrence for many across the UK, every day has been Bring-Your-Pet-To-Work day. The cost of a puppy doubled over the course of 2020 and the nation has gone pet-mad, revelling in the increased opportunities to play with their beloved furry friend throughout the working week. But amongst all the gravy bones and fluffy toys it’s got us here at Notch wondering – why DO we love our pets so much?
As stated by the researcher John Bradshaw, dogs don’t provide the human race with any services that are essential to our survival. Unlike babies, pets don’t harbour the opportunity to continue our genes, and unlike other animals they don’t offer us food or clothing materials. They are merely an expense that builds year on year as more products and pet safety procedures are introduced. So, what is it about dogs that makes us tolerate the £500 cheques for chipping and furry wake-up calls? There have been many theories to explore this, each one presenting a new angle to explain the timeless wonder.
Hormonal Response: The ‘Gooey Warm Feeling’
One theory to explain why we love pets is hormonal response. A review of Meg Daley’s book, ‘Made For Each Other’, states that animals appear to have cells directly under their skin that activate the hormone oxytocin in the brain and the top of the spinal cord. Levels of oxytocin in the body, also known as the ‘love hormone’, tend to rise significantly when stroking animals – a response similar to that experienced when kissing, touching or breastfeeding. According to Daley, the optimum number of strokes to achieve this response is 40 per minute, and the oxytocin produced drives us to nurture and form an attachment with our pets that is similar to that of mother and child.
Whilst touch plays a big part in the release of this hormone, it’s not the only sense. There is also a correlation between time spent looking into the eyes of dogs and the gazer’s oxytocin levels. Therefore, between stroking and eye contact, this is how the bond is said to be formed that keeps pets under our roofs and in our hearts.
Communication is Key
In a report written by Estep and Hetts, the development and similarity of communication systems is another explanation for why certain animals, such as dogs, are man’s best friend. Humans are social creatures by nature, and the highly developed systems of communication that these animals present make humans more likely to interact and form attachments. Estep and Hetts list dogs and horses as two animals with highly sophisticated systems, whilst cats and guinea pigs tend to have less structured systems – explaining the occurrence of familiar human conditions such as separation anxiety in dogs, but not in other common household pets.
Genetics
Alternatively, a recent study published in Science suggests that the untimely bond between man and dog is more biological than behavioural. Through the analysis of 27 ancient dog genomes, a link between ancient humanity and dogs can be established, leading us to believe that such a friendship has existed for more than 11,000 years. The study shows that this historic connection runs deeper than just time however, with many similarities apparent between the two ancient genetic profiles.
Culture
Harold Herzog of Western Carolina University reduces our love of pets to mere trends and norms. He states that pet-keeping is purely cultural, with some cultures keeping pets because their cuteness is established and domestication approved. In these cultures, he suggests pet-keeping to be a ‘socially contagious’ trend that is continuously reinstated by its own popularity. This is whilst other cultures, such as the Kenyan Kiembu tribe and South Korean civilians, only know dogs as a means for protection or even just a late-night snack! But what do you think?
Get in touch with @EveAtNotch and @NotchCom on Twitter to let us know where you stand!
As many of us are without our usual escape to the office, it has become more important than ever to create a peaceful, happy space at home. For me this has meant a new-found dedication to feng shui. A common aesthetic goal for many aspiring decorators (myself included) is to bring the outdoors, indoors. No garden? No problem! Long gone are the days when plants were simply the domain of avid gardeners or botany enthusiasts. As I watch aloe vera creep onto every bookcase and spider plants dominating every windowsill, it is clear that houseplants are increasingly becoming part of the furniture. In recent years the market for houseplants has boomed, with independent shops emerging around every corner to satisfy our foliage fantasies. In this instalment, we continue our exploration of plants, and decide whether the obsession is simply the latest design trend or if there is a scientific explanation behind the greenery (spoiler: there is!).
Nature or nurture?
We all recognise that feeling when we nurture and care for our plants, to then be rewarded with a sprouting leaf or blooming flower – pure joy. Amazingly, this innate emotional connection with plants has a name: biophilia. From an evolutionary perspective, throughout human history it has been vital to understand nature and adopt certain behavioural responses in order to survive and thrive in the natural world. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that humans’ instinctive association with the natural environment persists through a combination of genetic inheritance and cultural learning. With every visit to a nature reserve; every desire to embark on a fresh country walk; every stroke of a paintbrush on a landscape painting, biophilia could be at play. Nature is not only our entertainment, but our release and our muse. Our love of houseplants is no exception.
Psychological benefits
The impact of nature on mental health is a heavily researched area, with studies uncovering a significant link between nature exposure and mental health effects. These include a reduction in depression, anxiety and stress. The relationship has proven to be more prevalent amongst those in urban areas where nature exposure is rarer, leaving less capability for habituation. The basis for this nature exposure includes direct interaction, as well as simply viewing it and appreciating it from an aesthetic perspective.
Office environments are, unsurprisingly, associated with high levels of stress and have therefore been the focus of many studies – with the primary aim being to discover what can stimulate greater productivity whilst reducing stress in the office. A study found that when plants were introduced into the workplace, employee performance increased. This is because when we work in an environment where we are able to be psychologically engaged (via the plant), we are happier and consequently work better. Although many of the current studies focus on the benefits of plants in an office, with our homes becoming our primary workplace, the results hold true for houseplants in the home.
Health benefits
What is often overlooked when discussing the benefits of indoor plants is the phytoremediation capacity of plants and the related health benefits. Air pollution is often associated with the busy roads of bustling cities, yet recent studies have found that indoor air pollution from the emissions of our daily household items can be very damaging. With every pop of the toaster or lighting of the stove, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released, which are gaseous chemicals that can be harmful when inhaled. The concern only heightens as we enter winter and ventilation decreases as we shut our doors to keep out the biting cold. Could houseplants help us clean our indoor air quality?
Research seems to suggest this could be the case. When studying the effect of potted plants on total VOC levels within an office environment it was found that when the total VOC level reached a certain threshold, large reductions were found in offices that contained plants. We can assume the threshold initiates a VOC-removal response in plants, demonstrating their importance as efficient and sustainable bioremediation systems to improve indoor air quality.
Finally we have proof that investing in houseplants is not about simply adorning your living space with the latest accessories. In fact, they provide several mental and physical benefits. So, whether you want to start with a low maintenance yucca or a more demanding calathea, maybe it’s time to take the leaf of faith (sorry) and brighten up your shelves and windowsills with a bit of greenery – added bonus, it also makes you super trendy!
If you’ve got the green thumb and want more houseplant content, get in touch with @RachaelAtNotch and follow @NotchCom
