Beyond blogging: Pushing science communication through videography

What defines a successful science communication event? Does a product diminish in value if the story told never reaches a large audience? Alternatively, is it enough to deliver information to a viewer with the hope that it may spark their interest in your research?

Brett sitting down with an interviewer discussing the processes of dried blood spot analysis. Photo © Desi Farias

There are many difficulties we must overcome as science communicators, but the largest obstacle is figuring out how to take a complex subject and break it down into easy-to-digest ideas for a general audience. As scientists, we can become so lost in the complexities of our subject that all relevant information comes to us as common knowledge. However, we tend to forget that understanding our research can be complimented by many years of personal experience. How do I effectively communicate new and exciting findings to my parents who are also interested in my research? I could sit them down and explain the process from start to finish, but that would take a long time, and it would be boring!

Behind the scenes. Brett listening to Desi while discussing the direction and flow of the interview. Photo © Desi Farias

As science communicators, we can do better. Have you heard the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? If that is true, then what is the value of a video? Videos have the capacity to tell a captivating story by combing our scientific discoveries with the beautiful images of the natural world. In conservation, videography has the power to show a viewer why they should care in a short and concise timeframe. For this project, I am utilizing a sampling technique that has not been applied towards sharks and it is necessary to communicate why this is important. Telling a viewer to sit down and read a blog can be intimidating but explaining the methodology while showing the sample collection process from a shark may capture their attention.

Smile for the camera! There were a lot of questions to answer, so Brett could occasionally pull out his laptop to check the script and verify facts. Photo © Desi Farias

For the past few months, I have been working together with a videographer to record and capture the magic of dried blood spot analysis. My goal is to promote its potential to be used as a non-invasive tool to understand the position of sharks within the food web at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. I have limited experience speaking in front of a camera, but I cannot pass up this opportunity to talk about potential new and exciting research! Stay tuned for the finished product coming out early next year!