How to Be Inclusive in Science Storytelling

Today we will learn how to be more inclusive in our science storytelling. Continue to hear from HighLight while she volunteers at a local botanical garden as an exhibit guide!

"One of the reasons I love being at the gardens is because I get to interact and share stories with so many different people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences..."

My focus is always on making everyone feel welcome in this space while helping them learn and have fun. I also want to make sure everyone achieves their own goals during their visit.

In thinking about how to be inclusive I use my StoryMAP: I think about the audience, the message, my goals and their goals. I reflect on what 'inclusion' means for each story.

For me, inclusion in science storytelling involves a diversity of examples, characters and settings. It is about finding ways to represent different people and perspectives.

Inclusion is also providing space for marginalized identities to drive the conversation and thinking about how to work with them to create a shared science story!

This also means "one" story cannot be all-encompassing! Inclusion is very contextual. With every storyteller, audience, setting and goal in mind, the context is different.

Sometimes, inclusion in storytelling literally involves making space, visibility and access for unheard, unseen or underappreciated perspectives to take center stage.

I try to be intentional, reciprocal and reflexive in my approach to inclusion. Done right, inclusion can lead to a storytelling experience that fits the context and invites conversation.

I need to be intentional in my representation and support of marginalized identities. I need to be reciprocal by making sure my audience benefits in their own way from our interaction!

I need to be reflexive by looking critically at how I’m doing as a science communicator and adapting if needed.

Just as the many colorful, powerful and diverse butterflies in our exhibit, inclusion comes in different varieties: inclusion of perspectives, for impact and by access. Let’s learn more!

Inclusion of perspectives means showcasing diverse ideas and interpretations of science.

I want to help more people relate to science. I also want to help my audiences get to know and relate to scientists of different backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and more!

But to do this, I can’t rely on my own assumptions about people or cultures. I have to ask questions, listen actively and learn how to positively portray diverse lived experiences.

Sometimes I also tell science stories through the eyes of abstract or non-human story characters. Universal characters allow anyone to relate and project their identity in to the story!

Inclusion for impact involves thinking about your reasons for sharing as well as the audience's expectations or their reasons for being here. The way you tell your story should balance them all.

To be inclusive in the stories I share, I learn about my audience’s questions, interests, backgrounds and cultural connections with plants and animals. I take inspiration from projects like Indigenous STEAM.

I focus on what my audiences expect from me and their visit. I tailor my narration from there. Are they here to appreciate nature and relax, to get informed, to be inspired, or to find community?

For example, I frequently give kids the option of exploring our butterfly habitat in their own way versus giving them a rigid narrated tour. This gives them agency over their own time.

Such self-guided experience is very satisfying for our visitors. It allows them to realize their needs for expression and be curious while having the freedom to explore.

For larger groups with mixed demographics, I take a "mix and match" approach where I use props, hands-on experiences and multimedia or app-based content to aid my narration.

More importantly, I get everyone involved in these conversations. I sometimes pose trivia questions or ask people to share their own opinions, stories and knowledge.

We want the experience to go beyond just this visit! So we have butterfly-garden seed bags to take home and experiment, in hopes to continue spreading the seeds of ideas and stories!

When thinking about inclusion for impact, it is important to reflect on our intent versus our actual impact. We may have good intent but a negative impact in reality.

If my impact seems to have been negative or partial, I reflect on what went wrong and how to change my approach. I have to be honest with myself. I also ask colleagues for help when this happens.

I always ask myself: why am I choosing to share this science story? Is it relevant, accurate and appropriate? Am "I" the right person to share it?

Actively seeking someone who can share that story in a most authentic way is a great way to allow for better reach and greater inclusivity in science storytelling.

So, while hosting an event around butterfly-friendly native plants, we invited botanists, anthropologists and local members of Indigenous communities to share their experiences!

The third type of inclusion is inclusion by physical access. For example, during the screening of a documentary on Monarch migration, we had closed captions, a sign language interpreter and a transcription.

All of our flyers are also multilingual. They use minimal words, universal images and are easy to comprehend. They can also be used as coloring pages for kids!

We are also cognizant about barriers to entry for disabled visitors. We work to make sure that our spaces are accessible and safe so that they get to have meaningful experiences just as others.

Science storytellers should strive to incorporate all three types of inclusion: different perspectives, positive impact, and access. By doing so, we can build trust and engagement with science.