Creative reactions – pint of science: Using art to explore science in London
Author: Eleanor S. Armstrong – University College London, United Kingdom
Co-authors:
Aaron Jones
Michael Motskin
Praveen Paul
Samuel Wigfield
Pint of Science is an award winning non-profit organisation that brings some of the most brilliant scientists to local pubs to discuss their latest research and findings with the public. The festival runs over a few days in May every year, and occasionally runs events during other months of the year. Since 2016 London has hosted a ‘Creative Reactions’ branch of Pint of Science, which pairs artists and scientists who share research interests and leaves them to work together for at least six months, a process that culminates in an exhibition and talks during the Pint of Science Festival annually in May.
This talk will discuss what Creative Reactions is by showing the audience what happened at the 2016 and 2017 events; and will explore why it is valuable to the London event ecosystem, to audiences of the event, and to those participating in the Creative Reactions project. This talk will also evaluate the project against it’s own aims, against the framework of Pint of Science, and in the context of the audience and the participants. Finally this talk will consider what Creative Reactions contributes to research into and applications of science communication and art-science theory. To do this we draw on existing science communication and art-science literature to contextualise Creative Reactions and open the discussion. We’ll be dwelling on the importance of recognising the cultural landscape in London in developing Creative Reactions and how the Creative Reactions premise differentiates itself from other events and the advantages and disadvantages therein with the publics. The talk will allow others to utilise the Creative Reactions method, and understand how similar events might aid science communicators.
The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.
Presentation type: Show, tell and talk
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Investigating science communication practices