Humanizing Science by Building Bridges Through Shared Conversation -- The Alaska Voices Project

Abstract:

Alaska Voices is a project that was developed in partnership with StoryCorps in 2017. Its purpose is to build bridges of shared knowledge through conversation. Since its inception, nearly 60 conversations have been recorded and edited in collaboration with the participants for sharing through our website, a podcast, and a biweekly program on local public radio. The conversation participants include scientists, community members, political leaders, and Alaska Native individuals. The conversations span a wide range of topics including science beginnings, fieldwork, mentorship, collaboration, or results, to co-production of knowledge, cultures, climate impacts, to name a few. Conversation and storytelling are avenues of science communication that allow for the humanization of scientists and their work, making the information more accessible and entertaining for many. We also found that the audience and the conversation participants enjoyed the recording process as they were given the opportunity to explore and share experiences in an uninterrupted and intentional conversation with their recording partner. In this presentation, we will share the Alaska Voices project, from its inception to present, including experiences of recording the conversations, developing the podcast and producing a radio show.