SciArt
The bridge between science and art, SciArt is defined by Emei Ma as "any creative expression where the intent of the artist is to convey an observable understanding of the physical universe." During my honours research, I discovered many case studies of science-art collaborations. Collaboration project participants overwhelmingly supported SciArt, they just couldn't explain or quantify why.
Personally, I believe SciArt has great potential in science outreach. Visuals can clarify complex concepts, helping science reach a lay audience. Art and its creation can also allow for two-way dialogue, encouraging engagement with the public. Most importantly, art, unlike a technical research article, can generate an emotional response. Care, concern, optimism, and discomfort are all feelings that can drive people to action- and in our current climate, we need action more than ever.
The following SciArt pieces were created to accompany three marine conservation topics, as part of my work this summer funded by the NSERC Nancy Witherspoon Memorial Summer Research Award.
For more information on the use and rationale behind science-art collaborations, check out the following research article:
C. Zaelzer. 2020. The value in science-art partnerships for science education and science communication. Eneuro. 7(4).
Personally, I believe SciArt has great potential in science outreach. Visuals can clarify complex concepts, helping science reach a lay audience. Art and its creation can also allow for two-way dialogue, encouraging engagement with the public. Most importantly, art, unlike a technical research article, can generate an emotional response. Care, concern, optimism, and discomfort are all feelings that can drive people to action- and in our current climate, we need action more than ever.
The following SciArt pieces were created to accompany three marine conservation topics, as part of my work this summer funded by the NSERC Nancy Witherspoon Memorial Summer Research Award.
For more information on the use and rationale behind science-art collaborations, check out the following research article:
C. Zaelzer. 2020. The value in science-art partnerships for science education and science communication. Eneuro. 7(4).

reef shark conservation
School of grey reef sharks over a coral reef. One in five sharks are whited out, to visualize how reef sharks are functionally absent in 20% of coral reefs worldwide. Functional absence, defined by MacNeil et al. (2020), means that in these areas shark numbers are so low that they have effectively no impact on the ecosystem. This is worrisome, as sharks are apex predators and important for healthy ecosystems.
Thank you to Guillaume Funfrock (@cinqrock on Instagram) for the photo reference.
Read more:
CBC article: Dalhousie study reveals sharks 'functionally extinct' in 20% of world's coral reefs
Research article: MacNeil, M.A., Chapman, D.D., Heupel, M. et al. Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks. Nature 583, 801–806 (2020).
School of grey reef sharks over a coral reef. One in five sharks are whited out, to visualize how reef sharks are functionally absent in 20% of coral reefs worldwide. Functional absence, defined by MacNeil et al. (2020), means that in these areas shark numbers are so low that they have effectively no impact on the ecosystem. This is worrisome, as sharks are apex predators and important for healthy ecosystems.
Thank you to Guillaume Funfrock (@cinqrock on Instagram) for the photo reference.
Read more:
CBC article: Dalhousie study reveals sharks 'functionally extinct' in 20% of world's coral reefs
Research article: MacNeil, M.A., Chapman, D.D., Heupel, M. et al. Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks. Nature 583, 801–806 (2020).
ghost gear
Harbour seal in kelp forest, entangled in ghost gear. Ghost gear, aka lost fishing gear, is responsable for 47-70% of all plastic in the ocean, according to the Global Ghost Gear Initiative. Read more: CBC article: 'Ghost nets': How lost and abandoned fishing gear is destroying marine wildlife |
ocean noise pollution
Sounds travels faster in water than in air, and marine animals have evolved to use sound to communicate and interact with their environment in complex ways. An overlooked form of pollution, underwater noise produced by humans has been shown to have negative effects on animals from whales to snails, and needs to be managed as ocean development increases. Thank you to Jacques de Vos for the photo reference. Read more: CBC article: Scientists say noise pollution is harming sea life, needs to be prioritized Research article: C. M. Duarte et al. The soundscape of the Anthropocene ocean. Science 371, eaba4658 (2021). DOI: 10.1126/science.aba4658 |