Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science
Training students and scientists in accurate and engaging forms of science communication.
The Mick Hitchcock, Ph.D., Project for Visualizing Science is an initiative to prepare students, professionals, and scientists to present science in visual, creative forms. Through curriculum, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities, students learn to communicate science effectively and combat misinformation while building and enhancing their skills for science storytelling.
Science has a communication problem. Misinformation and pseudoscience are having profound impacts on everything from vaccine acceptance to climate change. Researchers often struggle to communicate their work with the public. Engaging, fact-based science communication can improve scientific literacy, engage the public in scientific discourse, and inspire action.
In this class, students untangle complex stories of scientific discovery to tell dynamic, human-centered narratives that connect with broad audiences. Course activities apply students’ growing skills in multimedia journalism to enhance science reporting, utilizing new and evolving storytelling mediums. Work produced in class has the potential to be published on the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science website or in other relevant media outlets.
Instructor: Jennifer Kent
Learn the foundational principles of ethical data visualization to develop persuasive, data-driven design solutions. This class introduces students to designing narrative- driven data visualizations to engage non-expert audiences, as well as ethics and storytelling in data visualizations.
Instructor: Jennifer Kent
Learn techniques and strategies for using numerical data for investigative and explanatory journalism.
Instructor: Ran Duan, Ph.D.
An introduction to the field of environmental, science, health and risk communication. Class discussions will draw theoretical and conceptual considerations from fields such as environmental sociology, social psychology, visual communication, and risk perception. Topics include, for example, social constructions of environmental issues, environmental discourses in popular culture, scientific uncertainty, pseudoscience and misinformation, technology and system failures and health emergencies.
Instructor: Ran Duan, Ph.D.
This interdisciplinary course is meant for students in STEM disciplines hoping to improve their science communication. Learn how to tell engaging stories about complex science, including communicating about climate change challenges and solutions. Improve your journalistic writing skills to craft effective stories to share research findings.
Instructors: John Cushman, Jennifer Kent
Hitchcock Project students get hands-on, real-world experience in reporting on science and the environment through internship and practicum experiences, including KUNR Public Radio. Our Science and Environment reporter works directly with the KUNR news team to pitch, report, and produce compelling stories for radio. Several of the KUNR interns have gone on to hold permanent positions at KUNR and other NPR statitions after graduating.
Read recent news about the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science.
Grads of the Pack: Elizabeth Walsh
Biochemistry doctoral graduate Elizabeth Walsh was selected as a 2024 AAAS Mass Media Fellow. Here she shares her experiences in the Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science and advice for scientists interested in science communication.
Rainy skies and rubber boots: Reporting from the rainforest of Costa Rica
Students from the Reynolds School of Journalism immersed themselves in a weeklong adventure at La Selva Research Station
Faces of the Pack: Kat Fulwider
Journalism student brings science to local airwaves through KUNR-Hitchcock Project internship