Science v. Story: Narrative Strategies for Science Communicators

Science v. Story analyzes how storytelling can effectively counter controversial scientific narratives by examining four scientific controversies through the lens of narrative theory and rhetorical studies. It offers two tools to evaluate and build stories, narrative webs and narrative constellations, to strengthen science communication by incorporating storytelling in critical ways that are attentive to audience and context.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2024
Publisher: University of California Press

Science skepticism is a complex issue that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and attitudes towards scientific knowledge and practices. It can manifest in various forms, such as denialism, conspiracy theories, and anti-science rhetoric. One of the key factors that contribute to the persistence of science skepticism is the way in which controversial narratives are often communicated and disseminated. These narratives can take many different forms, such as news articles, social media posts, documentaries, and movies.

In her book, Science v. Story: Uncovering Common Threads Across Types of Science Skepticism to Show Why These Controversial Narratives Stick and How We Can More Effectively Counter Them Through Storytelling, Emma Frances Bloomfield explores the role of storytelling in science communication. She argues that rather than viewing stories as adversaries to scientific practices, storytelling can be an integral part of effective science communication.

Bloomfield draws from narrative theory and rhetorical studies to examine scientific stories and rival stories. She identifies two types of rival stories: disingenuous rival stories that undermine scientific conclusions and productive rival stories that work to make science more inclusive. Disingenuous rival stories, such as climate change denialism, often rely on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and emotional appeals to undermine scientific evidence. On the other hand, productive rival stories, such as the story of the discovery of the Higgs boson, work to broaden the appeal of science by highlighting its relevance to everyday life and its potential to address social and environmental challenges.

Science v. Story offers two tools to evaluate and build stories: narrative webs and narrative constellations. Narrative webs chart the features of a story, such as characters, action, sequence, scope, storyteller, and content, to locate opportunities for audience engagement. Narrative constellations, on the other hand, chart the relationships between different stories and their broader contexts to identify patterns and trends. These visual mapping tools can help storytellers identify the most effective ways to communicate scientific information to their audiences.

Bloomfield ultimately argues that we can strengthen science communication by incorporating storytelling in critical ways that are attentive to audience and context. She suggests that storytellers should focus on creating compelling narratives that are grounded in scientific evidence and that are relatable to their audiences. By doing so, storytellers can help to break down the barriers to scientific understanding and promote a more informed and engaged public.

In conclusion, science skepticism is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. By incorporating storytelling in science communication, we can more effectively counter controversial narratives and promote a more informed and engaged public. Science v. Story offers valuable tools to evaluate and build stories that are attentive to audience and context, and by doing so, we can strengthen science communication and promote a more scientifically literate society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520380813