Storytelling has proven to be a successful and engaging approach to explaining intricate scientific concepts to a wider audience. As such, there are a number of compelling reasons to use storytelling in science communication.

In this article, we have compiled five important reasons to use storytelling in science communication:

• Enhancing comprehension:

Non-experts frequently find it difficult to grasp scientific concepts. By presenting information in the form of a story establishes a relatable framework that facilitates the audience's easier understanding of abstract concepts. Narratives/ stories have the power to translate technical concepts into layman’s terms, making the information more accessible and memorable.

• Emotional connection:

Stories have a unique ability to make people feel things and feel empathy for them. Science becomes more than just data and facts when it is communicated through storytelling. It enables the audience to have a deeper comprehension and appreciation for the science being taught by allowing them to emotionally connect with the subject matter and the persons involved.

• Memorable retention:

Stories have a greater memory retention power than dry facts and numbers. These have been a fundamental part of human communication for millennia, and our brains are wired to remember stories more effectively than isolated pieces of information. Making use of storytelling in science communication can help people retain key ideas and concepts more effectively.

• Fostering curiosity and interest:

Storytelling has the ability to captivate the audience’s attention and stimulate their curiosity. A fascination and a desire to know more about the subject is generated when science is presented in a narrative format.
This can inspire the audience to seek out additional information and engage further with scientific topics.

• Breaking down barriers:

Science can sometimes be perceived as intimidating or exclusive to a select group of experts. Storytelling has the power to break down these barriers and create a sense of inclusivity. By making science more accessible and relatable, you can encourage a wider range of people to take an interest in scientific discoveries and developments.

In sum, using storytelling in science communication can be a successful approach that helps in making complex ideas accessible, creating emotional connections, enhancing retention, stimulating curiosity, and promoting a broader interest in science among diverse audiences - that is precisely why storytelling is the core subject of the FOODSTORIES project.

Let’s empower scientists with the ability to convey clear messages about food science!