ES Faculty Member: Arlene Birt Attends National Council for Science and The Environment Conference (NCSE)
NCSE is a conference of scientists (primarily earth & physical scientists) who do highly specialized research related to environment and climate: Arlene found it refreshing to hear the desire for collaboration coming from both science as well as from the worlds she inhabits – communication and creativity.
As an information designer, educator and visual storyteller (http://backgroundstories.com/) working at the intersection of science communication and visualization, Arlene is excited about complex sustainability content with data and a need to help non-experts understand. For research findings to be accepted and acted upon by communities – scientists and policymakers need to draw more personal ties between policies and how individuals interact with them. An important step in this is helping the public understand a bit more of the system (and the 'why') behind a particular policy. Because 65% of people are visual learners, and because graphics are an important method of showing complex systems - visuals are an excellent tool to help audiences relate to and connect with content. At science conferences, you’ll find Arlene advocating for design, creativity and the arts. At design conferences, she is the advocate for science, data, and content. Bridging such worlds is a common theme in the work of MCAD ES grads. At the NCSE conference, Arlene presented as part of an MN-based symposium on "Artists as Partners in Infrastructure Education." (More details on their symposium here: http://www.art-infra.net/) With this group, they hope to continue the dialogue of how artists can contribute to the great work these scientists are already doing – and helping it take a relevant and emotional hold on communities around the world. Alrene expressed how this was a great experience to be immersed in the state of US research and policies related to climate and environment. She looks forward to bringing what she has learned in the classroom!
