Science & Theatre: Communicating Science and Technology with Performing Arts

Emma Weitkamp
University of the West of England, UK

Carla Almeida
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brazil


Product Details
Format:
Hardback
ISBN:
9781800436411
Published:
Publisher:
Emerald Publishing Limited
Dimensions:
240 pages - 152 x 229 x 17.72mm
List price £73.99 List price €89.99 List price $104.99
Categories:

There has been a significant growth in initiatives involving theatre, drama and performance within a science communication context. Yet there is little scholarship exploring this phenomenon from a science communication perspective.

Weitkamp and Almeida draw on their distinct experiences with theatre in the context of science communication to delve into initiatives created through dialogue between the arts and the sciences for the purpose of public engagement. Entering into the space where museums, universities and research centres operate, as well as the space of theatre practitioners, they explore the richness and plurality of this universe, combining theory and practice, as well as presenting context, knowledge gaps and new data.

Acknowledging that the place of drama, theatre and performance within science communication is one which is uniquely influenced by local cultural practices, discourses and expectations, the authors take a global perspective. Firstly by analysing data from an international survey of practitioners and secondly by curating a collection of case studies on science-theatre projects undertaken around the world. The chapters illustrate the diversity of forms and content that comprises contemporary science-theatre in this context and characterise theatre produced within the scope of science communication, placing it more precisely in the broader context of science-theatre.

Prologue
Chapter 1. Introduction
ACT I
Chapter 2. Conceptualising Science-Theatre
Chapter 3. Mapping Science-Theatre Practices
Chapter 4. Creating Science-Theatre: Who Participates and Why
Chapter 5. Topics and Venues: Beyond Expectations
Chapter 6. Formats: Unbounded Creativity, Experimentation and Interaction
Chapter 7. Spectators, Participants and Co-creators
ACT II
Chapter 8. Actors with Agency: Immersive Science Theatre and Science Identity
Chapter 9. Theatre within a Research Institute: Addressing Shared Goals
Chapter 10. PAST’s Walking Tall Science Theatre Project
Chapter 11. The Voices and Bodies of Science: Theatre with Researchers
Chapter 12. Augmented Lectures: a Unique Resource to Inspire, Outreach and Understand Science
Chapter 13. Scenes of Aquatic Life: Theatre, Dance, Music and Science
Chapter 14. Instytut B61: Translating the Invisible into Immersive Artsci Theatre
Chapter 15. From Math Class to the Theatre: A 15-Year Chronicle of STEAM
Epilogue
Chapter 16. Conclusion

Emma Weitkamp is Professor of Science Communication at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK, where she co-Directs the Science Communication Unit. Her current research focuses on the actors involved in science communication, specifically intermediaries in the process including artists and NGOs; and narrative as an engagement tool.

Carla Almeida is a science communicator and researcher at the Museu da Vida, science museum of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), in Brazil, where she teaches on the  Diploma Course in Communication and Popularization of Science and on the Master’s in Communication of Science, Technology and Health.

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