Our workshops on creative skills uplift scientists from historically excluded groups - so they can make the next big breakthroughs.

The Problem

A cutting-edge scientist might leave discovery research because of:

  • Mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion from excessive and prolonged stress.

    This can make a career in science feel unsustainable.

  • Self-doubt and perceived incompetence, despite being high-performing and exceptionally skilled.

    This can make career challenges feel insurmountable.

  • Lacking commonality, encouragement, and support from mentors or peers.

    This can cause feelings of alienation and despair.

  • Overall low retention and advancement of scientists from a diversity of backgrounds.

    This limits the representation of role models in science, and “you can’t be what you can’t see.”

These stem from systemic barriers that disproportionately impact scientists from historically excluded groups, such as:

Discrimination

Family Responsibilities

Microaggressions

Language Barrier

Physical Safety Concerns

Financial Insecurity

Medical Conditions

Mental Health Challenges

VISA or Citizenship Status

and many more…

Our Solution

We validate their experience and give them the skills they need now to:

  • Principles of stage presence, improvisation, and storytelling for confident and impactful talks.

  • Principles of graphic design and data visualization for clear and convincing figures.

  • Skills from creative writing to finish grants, papers, and dissertations on time, and with confidence.

  • Best practices in visual communication for maximum impact, accessibility, and persuasion.

  • Best practices for constructive communication when giving, receiving, and implementing feedback.

  • Developing a visual and verbal professional style to be memorable as your authentic self.

  • Principles of photography (lighting, color, framing, and sample preparation) for optimal visual clarity.

  • Skills to maintain physical and mental wellbeing for a life-long career in discovery

This approach complements efforts for systemic change.

Through workshops, talks, and consulting we tailor skills from across the arts to the practical needs of scientists.

And it works.

  • We Energize Audiences.

    100% learned something new

    97% found the program engaging and would attend another

    95% are interested in more Art in Science resources

  • We Grow Careers.

    92% identified areas for improvement

    84% feel more confident in their ability to learn new skills

    84% feel more accomplished in their career so far

  • We Build Resilience.

    89% have a greater appreciation for their current abilities

    87% feel optimistic about their future

    74% have a greater feeling that they Belong in Science

We Reach a Diverse Audience:

76% are women

74% are people of color

42% are from a low income background

42% have mental health challenges

42% are the first in their family to go to college

39% speak English as a second language

37% are LGBTQIA+ people

89%

of attendees identify with two or more descriptors

Our programs work because we did our research.

  • “On more than one occasion someone has literally said to me 'you don’t look like a scientist'”.

    Response from our Belonging in Science survey

  • “I was often questioned more aggressively by male PIs than my male classmates, which I attributed to being a lesser scientist. It was only when I had a fellow female PI approach me...that I realized I might be treated differently.”

    Response from our Belonging in Science survey

  • "Every writing experience (review, publication, dissertation, etc…) I had made me feel like I did not belong in science. "

    Response from our Belonging in Science survey

  • “As a non-binary trans person, I've never seen myself reflected in advisors, mentors, professors I've had, etc. It's exhausting to be constantly hypervigilant about my visibility and safety, and trying to determine if someone was going to be supportive of my existence.”

    Response from our Belonging in Science survey

  • “My first role model was someone who looked like me, and her lab was full of black and queer folks, so I was surrounded by people whose identities aligned with mine from the beginning.”

    Response from our Belonging in Science survey

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