Theory-based science communication at comic cons

ABSTRACT

The majority of research concerning science communication happens in spaces where people already have a vested interest in or knowledge of science, such as museums and science cafes. Thus, there is a gap in understanding what theory-based science communication looks like in non-science-centered spaces. This qualitative research study, which featured cosplaying science communicators at comic conventions, offers insights into what science communication practices occur within everyday spaces. We conducted observations of and semi-structured interviews with 15 cosplaying scientists, examining how they utilized effective framing and narrative structuring when communicating science at comic cons in cosplay. Across 700 coded utterances, cosplaying scientists most often used effectively framed messaging which allowed for visitors to unite their interests with STEM topics. Alternatively, we rarely witnessed cosplaying scientists using messaging that assuaged or addressed politically polarized scientific topics, such as climate change. While not originally within the scope of data analysis, we also noted that cosplaying scientists indicated that varied aspects of their identities, such as their gender and ethnic backgrounds helped or hindered their science communication practices at comic conventions. Our research provides evidence how science communication changes when it occurs in everyday spaces and indicates avenues for future study in these spaces.

KEYWORDS:

• Science communication
• pop-up museum
• effective framing

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the cosplaying scientists who kindly gave their time and experience during this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics statement

This data was collected under Utah State University IRB Protocol #12842.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Research Foundation, Utah State University.