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Artwork as part of an interdisciplinary exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Have you ever wondered how should scientists share what they learn with the public? Usually, a biologist talks about biology, and a chemist talks about chemistry. But what if we mixed it up a bit? Cat and Janet Stott recently published an article in  Biology Open arguing that it’s time for a change. They believe that when scientists from different areas work together, they can share their discoveries in exciting and accessible ways. This idea is called interdisciplinary public engagement, and it’s like putting together a puzzle to see the whole picture.

Imagine you’re interested in learning about how to take care of our Earth. Wouldn’t it be cool to hear not just from a scientist who studies ecology but also from someone who knows about the weather, someone who designs eco-friendly machines, and maybe even an artist who creates beautiful pieces about nature? This is what Janet and Cat are suggesting in their article. When experts from different fields come together, they can offer a fuller, richer story about the topics we care about.

But it’s not always easy. Scientists from different areas speak different professional languages because their work is so specialised. They need to learn how to talk to each other and to the public. And sometimes, how universities or museums are set up makes it hard to do things together. Janet and Cat think these challenges can be met if everyone is willing to try something new and work together, utilising existing resources such as the interdisciplinary collegial system at the University of Oxford.

They hope more scientists will join in and disseminate their knowledge in ways that bring different ideas together. In this way, we all can learn more about the miraculous world around us and how we can treasure it, together. So, next time you hear about a science talk or an exhibition, maybe you’ll find biologists, chemists, artists, and more, all working together to share something amazing with you.

About Cat and the initiative:

 Cat is currently the Head of Scientific Strategy and Projects at the Dunn School, a Fellow of Reuben College and a Fellow of the Young Academy. Together with Janet Stott from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Cat is working on a novel approach to public engagement, leveraging the diverse academic landscape of Reuben College. Their initiative—a unique funding scheme—encourages students from various fields to collaborate on public engagement projects. Despite the inherent challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration, Cat’s biology background and Janet’s Museum expertise have formed a powerful alliance, promoting the college’s mission with fresh perspectives.

Find out more about the funding scheme proposed by Cat and Janet here.

Written by Isaac Siu-Shing Wong