Discover our

In the context of science communication, we refer to storytelling as the art of crafting a compelling narrative around scientific concepts, discoveries, or processes. Thus, the goal of storytelling in science communication is to make complex, technical information more engaging and accessible to the audience, while still preserving the accuracy and integrity of the science.

Storytelling often includes the following elements:

- Relatable characters

- Dramatic plot points

- Vivid descriptions

- Emotional appeals

- Metaphors and analogies

What can make storytelling, like any other art form, rather difficult is the fact that there is not a singular answer to how one should do it. There might be as many ways to write a story as there are stories in the world. For this reason, storytelling remains an ill-defined term that is attached to many different approaches. However, even small, strategic additions of narrative devices can enhance the accessibility and impact of scientific communication.

What exactly is narrative, and how does it differ from story? Narrative is how we choose to tell a story. We apply different narratives to the same story all the time. A narrative structure might simply describe the scientific process of developing a new vaccine, while the specific story could be about the challenges a research team faced and how they overcame them. An easy way to remember the difference between story and narrative is that you can have multiple narratives to tell the same story. For example, you can have a narrative that reshuffles the order of the events in a story (e.g., starting from the middle or end) as a device to make it more interesting. Or a narrative can use different points of view (of the protagonist, antagonist, neutral person) to tell the same story.

Storytelling is a powerful tool for making complex scientific information more accessible and engaging for public audiences. Stories activate emotional centres in the brain, making the content more memorable and impactful by grounding technical concepts in relatable, real-world examples and narratives. This helps lay audiences better comprehend and retain the facts.

Good communication is particularly important in an age of information overload and scientific misinformation. Stories can cut through the noise, making essential scientific knowledge more understandable and relevant to diverse public audiences. By humanising research and its societal implications, storytelling can foster greater public interest, trust, and engagement with the scientific process.

Yet, as with all forms of science communication, it’s critical that the storytelling remains grounded in sound, verifiable evidence. The balance between engaging narratives and scientific rigor is nuanced, but essential for maintaining public trust. In the end, the appropriate level of storytelling or the applicable storytelling techniques one might utilise will depend on the context.

Storytelling differs from traditional, didactic science communication by incorporating narrative elements like characters, emotions, and relatable examples to convey complex concepts. This focus on engaging and connecting with the audience on an emotional level can make the information more accessible and impactful. However, researchers must be vigilant to ensure that storytelling techniques do not introduce inaccuracies, oversimplifications, or logical fallacies. Storytelling in science communication is ethically sound when it accurately represents scientific information and does not compromise scientific integrity. The balance between compelling narratives and scientific rigor is crucial.

Not all the exercises presented in this toolbox will be relevant to your specific situation or needs. However, it is generally a good idea to start your storytelling journey by asking yourself questions, such as:

• What is the key message I am trying to convey?
• How complex is the information and what would be the consequences of misrepresenting something?
• Who is my target audience? What is their level of expertise?
• Through what channel or medium am I reaching my target audience (e.g., short text on social media, an article, a video, etc.)?

These types of questions can help you determine which exercises are the most useful to you. Always remember that there is no single “right” way to tell stories about science. Effective approaches will depend on the specific content, target audience, and communication channels involved. Researchers should begin by clearly identifying their key messages and the level of complexity required by their audience, then strategically select storytelling techniques aligned with their goals and constraints.

No, even small, strategic additions of narrative devices can enhance the accessibility and impact of scientific communication. Storytelling is not only about creating a complete storyline from scratch, but also about transforming information into narratives, which may take countless forms. It is not necessary to adopt a full-fledged, fictional storytelling approach. Storytelling is a vast continuum, and researchers can selectively incorporate various narrative techniques and elements based on their specific needs and constraints.

For instance, a researcher could open a technical report with a brief anecdote that humanises the research topic and its real-world implications. Or they could help the audience visualise the scientific process by weaving descriptive details and sensory language into an explanation of their methodology.

1. Humanising research: Stories provide a human context to scientific endeavours, helping the audience connect with the people behind the work and understand its real-world impacts. This can foster greater empathy, trust and interest in the research. On FOODSTORIES Best Practices Collection, for example, the “PhD Stories” case strengthens the human side by asking speakers to talk about their passions and interests while presenting their research topics.

2. Improving accessibility: Narrative techniques can simplify complex concepts and technical language, making scientific information more comprehensible for lay audiences. Stories also tap into universal human experiences, providing relatable frames of reference.

3. Enhancing memorability: Research has shown that people are more likely to remember information presented in a narrative format.The emotional resonance and vivid imagery of stories helps the content stick in an audience’s mind.

4. Inspiring action: Compelling stories can galvanise interest, understanding and even behaviour change around scientific issues. Narratives that highlight the personal or societal implications of research findings may motivate the public to get involved or support related initiatives.

Maintaining scientific accuracy and integrity is paramount when incorporating storytelling techniques. This is why researchers must thoroughly understand the concepts they are communicating and fact-check information. It’s critical to consult subject matter experts, especially for sensitive topics that may carry strong emotional resonance or ideological baggage.

Ultimately, storytelling in science communication is about simplifying information for accessibility while retaining the essential scientific integrity. It is a fine line to walk, but it helps to always present scientific findings within the appropriate context, avoiding unsubstantiated claims. Careful language choices, such as using an active voice and selecting words precisely, can also help preserve scientific rigour. With practice, researchers can develop the skills to craft engaging narratives that captivate audiences while remaining firmly grounded in verifiable evidence.

Below are some specific tips:

- Avoid sensationalism or exaggeration that goes beyond the evidence.

- Ensure the narrative arc does not gloss over important nuances or caveats.

- Maintain a clear distinction between objective facts and interpretive elements.

- Don’t let the storytelling detract from the core scientific message you’re trying to convey.

While the complexity of the subject may require more careful translation and simplification, storytelling techniques can still be effectively applied to make information in technical or specialised scientific fields more accessible and engaging for broader public audiences.

The key is for researchers to deeply understand their subject, identify the core concepts and messages they want to convey, and then carefully select the most appropriate storytelling techniques to bring those ideas to life. This may involve breaking down complex processes, using analogies and metaphors, or emphasizing the human element of the research. With practice and experimentation, scientists in any field can learn to wield the power of storytelling to enhance the audience understanding and engagement with their work.

The guiding principle is clarity and accessibility over literary flourish. You do not need a high level vocabulary or beautifully crafted prose to tell an effective story. In fact, some of the most impactful narratives ever told, like those of Ernest Hemingway, were written using relatively straightforward, high-school level English.

That said, certain language choices can greatly impact the effectiveness of your storytelling. Here are some tips:

- Use an active voice: Sentences constructed in the active voice (e.g. “The researcher discovered...” vs. “The discovery was made...”) tend to be more concise, vivid and engaging.

- Select words carefully: Choose precise, descriptive language that paints a clear picture for the audience. Avoid overly technical jargon or flowery language that could obscure meaning.

- Consider narrative voice: Decide whether a first-person, third-person, or other narrative perspective will best serve your storytelling goals and connect with your target audience.

- Incorporate sensory details: Weave in descriptive details that allow the audience to visualise, hear, smell or otherwise experience the scenes and events you are describing.

- Emphasise the human element: for example, on Beta Bugs, from our FOODSTORIES best practice collection, Lindy’s character is the main driver of the story’s narrative. Instead of explaining the work in a general / factual way, it is explained from the characters perspective, which adds an emotional connection.