Water Whys UA

No, data can't always speak for itself, even if some scientists would like to think it can.

In this talk, part of our Fall 2023 Visual SciComm Seminar Series, Victor Leshyk discusses the critical role that a compelling visual can play is sharing the message of scientific research.

Victor is the Director of Science and Art at the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society - Ecoss at Northern Arizona University.

This free virtual series is run each fall and spring semester. Follow us for updates on future speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE2LoDD0Iys

"I am a nurse who uses comics to reflect on the complexities of illness and caregiving.” - MK Czerwiec a.k.a. “Comic Nurse”

This Friday at 2pm ET/ 11am AZ time, join the Water Whys UA team for our third speaker in the Visual SciComm Seminar Series.

MK will discuss the four ways graphic medicine is being used to improve science communication (educational comics, reflective comics, research comics, and advocacy comics).

This virtual series is FREE but you must register to receive the Zoom link.

https://waterwhys.org/scicomm_seminar/scicomm-seminar-2024/

You find the perfect picture to help your audience understand the complex science you're explaining, but do you really have the legal and right to use it and would using it be the right thing to do? Join this Friday's Water Whys UA Visual SciComm Seminar session to find out!

Bethann Garramon Merkle, the director of the Wyoming Science Communication Initiative at the University of Wyoming, will be discussing "Ethical and Legal Ways to Use Images and Work with Artists for Science Communication."

When looking for great images to communicate about science, the Internet is a treasure trove. But, if we are not making or using our own images, it is easy to overstep legal and ethical boundaries. In this talk, you’ll learn about best practices for using other people’s images that are visual intellectual property protected by copyrights. You’ll walk away with (a) lots of ideas about where to find free, ethically sourced images and (b) tips for working with artists if you decide to commission custom illustrations.

This Zoom webinar (2/23 from 1-2pm ET/11am-noon AZ time) is free but you must register ahead of time to receive the link. https://waterwhys.org/scicomm_seminar/scicomm-seminar-2024/

Woah! I totally get it! The next time you see a visual explanation of a scientific concept that you understand immediately, take a moment to appreciate the work that went into it.

Shorter and simpler communication is harder than longer and more detailed writing, as Matteo Farinella said during the first session of the Spring 2024 Water Whys UA Visual SciComm Seminar on Friday. That message absolutely holds true with our group as we work to create graphics for TV meteorologist and journalists to use to answer water questions their audience has. Creation of a 30 second animation takes hours and hours of work, not just designing the image, but crafting the language that accompanies it to include only the essence of the message.

Our conversations around visual science communication continue with three more speakers in the coming months and you're invited to join for free (sign up on our website linked to in the comments to get the Zoom link).

Bethann Garramon Merkle, Director of the Wyoming Science Communication Initiative at the University of Wyoming will discuss "Ethical and Legal Ways to Use Images and Work with Artists for Science Communication" on Feb. 23, 1-2pm ET.

MK Czerwiec, Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine at University of Illinois at Chicago and co-founder of Graphic Medicine is next, digging further into the use of graphics to communicate medical information on Mar. 15, 2-3pm ET.

And Stephanie Castillo, Founder and Multimedia Producer at Phuture Doctors Studios, closes out the series sharing "How To Tell Your Science Story Online" on Apr. 23, 2-3pm ET.



Image Description: White banner with upside down question mark embedded in a water droplet on the left. Below is a blue box with white text (in post) and photos of Matteo, Bethann and Stephanie and a comic version of MK.

We're BAAAACK! The third Water Whys UA Visual SciComm Seminar Series kicks off next Friday, February 2 and we'd love to have you join us.

Well done visual science communication can inspire:
- curiosity
- awe
- a deeper understanding of a scientific topic than words alone.

The integration of storytelling and imagery invites audiences to engage with critical processes happening in the world around them they might otherwise disregard.

Over the last two semesters, the Water Whys team has brought in experts in visual scientific communication beyond the scientific journals and posters where many scientists traditionally share their findings. This semester's series kicks off with Matteo Farinella, neuroscientist turned illustrator, discussing the use of graphic medicine for science communication.

If you're interested in science communication and strategies for reaching broader audiences, join us for these free virtual sessions. Participants must register for each session individually on the Water Whys website to receive the Zoom links.

SciComm Seminar Spring 2024 2024 Visual SciComm Seminar Join us for this virtual lecture series on visual scientific communication. The Spring series will take place on Fridays (see each session for the exact times). Participants must register to receive the Zoom link. Please use the "contact us" page to submit your email addr...

Check out this excellent piece of science journalism! Researchers at the University of Arizona's Labratory of Tree Ring Research are contributing critical data about how our climate is changing in real time.

The Water Whys team was honored to partnered with one of the Lab researchers last semester, Dr. Ellie Broadman. We can't wait to share our newest graphics in the spring semester!

Written in the wood What one pine tree on an Arizona mountaintop can tell us about the hottest year on record -- and what lies ahead

Los incendios forestales ya están ardiendo en los EE. UU. y Canadá. Pero, ¿sabía que pueden crear un peligro que persiste durante meses e incluso años después de que se extinguen?

¿Por qué hay inundaciones repentinas luego de incendios forestales? Water Whys te explica por qué hay inundaciones repentinas luego de incendios forestales.

The Water Whys VIP is recruiting undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Arizona to join us for the Fall 2023 semester. Our interdisciplinary team is focused on creating graphics that help TV meteorologists, reporters and other science journalists answer questions related to water. This is a 1-credit course

Apply now at our website https://uavip.arizona.edu/teams/standalone-teams/water-whys

https://youtu.be/A-wdoXI_ghI

Water Whys VIP recruitment video This video includes participants from the University of Arizona Water Whys VIP (vertically integrated project) team talking about what we do and why other s...