Using Science Fiction and Design Thinking in Workshops to Share Research Results With Low-Income, Marginalized Communities

We worked with low-income participants in interactive, storytelling-based community workshops to discuss results from a scientific project related to harmful algal blooms. We used two story-based workshop formats-a science-fiction story and a personal-research-account story. In this Research Note, we reflect on two main topics: a comparison between the two story-based approaches and work with marginalized participants. With our reflections, our aim is to help inform future efforts that wish to incorporate science fiction approaches and/or work with marginalized populations in science communication.

Automated summary

The researchers conducted interactive community workshops with low-income participants, using two story-based formats – a science fiction story and a personal research account story – to discuss the outcomes of a scientific project on harmful algal blooms. The Research Note reflects on the comparison between the two story-based approaches and the collaboration with marginalized participants, aiming to provide insights for future science communication endeavors incorporating science fiction approaches and/or working with marginalized populations.