Communicating the Invisible: Science, Health, and Publics

This three-day workshop will focus on strategies for community-based and bidirectional communications between expert and non-expert audiences, and to interrogate different types of expertise that are involved in communicating the invisible, including chemical pollution, microbes and anti-microbial resistance, and other scientific topics involving dramatically small or distant scales, both spatial and temporal.

For information about how to participate in the workshop, email hhive@unc.edu

Schedule of Events

Monday, September 15
9:00 am – 3:00 pm, HHIVE Lab (524 Greenlaw Hall) 

Session 1: 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Introduction – participants will briefly introduce themselves and share a current project that involves communicating health or science topics to public audiences. 

Coffee Break: 10:30-10:45 a.m.

Session 2: 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Challenges – participants will share challenges they are facing and begin to brainstorm strategies. 

Boxed Lunch and Discussion: 12:15-1:00 p.m.

Session 3: 1:00-4:00 p.m. (coffee break included)

Tools and Methods – participants will explore approaches such as storytelling, art and performance, scientific communication, rhetoric, and design. 

Tuesday, September 16
3:30 pm – 7:00 pm, FedEx Global Education Center

Health Humanities Grand Rounds Lecture: 3:30-4:45 p.m, 4th Floor

How can we bring together science and design to visualize the invisible?

Imperceptible to the naked eye, about 40 to 100 trillion microorganisms live on and in every human body. Together, all these bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes make up our individual microbiomes. Research into how exactly they interact and how their complex balance works is getting more and more important: it can help us understand infectious diseases or pave new ways to tackle antibiotic resistance.

The exhibition project MicroPop inventively reflects the invisible world of microbes – and invites visitors to explore its fascinating facets in interactive ways. This presentation gives insights into the processes and strategies behind the project – how cutting-edge research, innovative design, and science communication combined to create new perspectives on the microbiome.

Featuring:

• Davina Höll (University of Tübingen)
• Michael Pelzer (University of Tübingen)
• David Gebka (State Academy of Fine Arts, Stuttgart)

Exhibit Opening and Reception: 5:00-7:00 p.m, 1st Floor Atrium

Explore the Micro Pop touring exhibit and enjoy light refreshments

Wednesday, September 17
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, HHVIE Lab (Greenlaw 524) 

Session 4: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Lunch and final workshop: putting ideas into action. Participants will reflect on their workshop discussions and work on plans for next steps.