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COMMUNITY:
Peer-reviewed article

Alter egos: an exploration of the perspectives and identities of science comic creators

March 6, 2019 | Media and Technology

While academic interest in science comics has been growing in recent years, the creators of these materials remain understudied. This research aimed to explore the experiences and views of science comic creators through the lens of science communication. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 science comic creators. Interviewees felt that the visual, narrative, permanent, and approachable qualities of comics made them particularly adept at explaining science and bringing it to new audiences. Science comic creators often had complex identities, occupying an ambiguous territory between `science' and `art', but were otherwise unconcerned with strict definitions. They emphasised the importance of balance between entertaining and informing, striving to create an engaging visual narrative without overcrowding it with facts or compromising scientific accuracy. This balancing act, and how they negotiate it, sheds light on what it means to be a science communicator operating in the space between entertainment and information/education.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Jordan Collver
    Author
    University of the West of England, Bristol
  • Emma Weitkamp
    Author
    University of the West of England, Bristol
  • Citation

    DOI : 10.22323/2.17010201
    ISSN : 1824-2049
    Publication Name: Journal of Science Communication
    Volume: 17
    Number: 1
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: General STEM
    Audience: General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Comics, Books, and Newspapers

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