A conference taking place on 20 November 2026 at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, SW1Y 5AG, London
9.30am – 5.00pm
Deadline for submissions: Friday 26 June 2026
2026 sees the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough FRS, perhaps the greatest exponent of natural history through television. His work is part of a long tradition of communicating often-complex ideas to a wider public. Scientists have used a variety of media to make a case for science: most traditionally in printed works, but also through anecdotes, lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions, press articles, radio and television. Today, our scientists may create websites or take to social media to gain a wider audience for their work, or to explain the work of many others. But who have been the most successful communicators and why? What narrative techniques made them effective? In an era of good and bad influencers, distortion or rejection of science, fake news, and information overload, what can we learn from episodes of science communication past and the messages which cut through?
The Society is interested in how scientific narratives have been crafted and how the best of current knowledge has been conveyed to general audiences. Some storytelling has retained an enormous hold on the popular imagination: from apple trees and gravity, to flying kites and lightning. Why have such tales and images of science in action persisted and how far from reality are they? To what extent have scientists deliberately fashioned such basic narratives, and what makes a good story (or a bad story) in science?
Equally, how have public voices, from everyday people with expertise, such as craftspeople, sailors, miners, pregnant women, and inhabitants of other nations influenced science narratives? And whose voices remained unheard?
The Royal Society is holding a one-day conference to explore themes of discourse between scientists and the public through a variety of media. The event should produce an interdisciplinary gathering of literary scholars, film and television historians, and historians of science. We welcome proposals for 15- to 20-minute papers on appropriate themes relating to narratives of the 17th – 21st centuries:
- How far have narrative techniques been shaped by scientists, and how much by others?
- How is narrative structured? What aspects are prioritised? How does the scientific content influence the narrative form, and vice versa?
- What role does imagination and imaginative imagery play in explaining science?
- Is there a link between particular literary genres and scientific narrative? How do scientific stories influence popular literature?
- Which media have had the significant impacts on how science is explained, and why?
- Which scientists have succeeded in becoming storytelling sages, talking heads, or media pundits? Were their reputations for omniscience deserved?
- How much care have scientists exercised in straying from their usual disciplines while explaining science to the public?
Please submit proposals (not exceeding 300 words, including a biographical note of c.50 words) for 15- to 20-minute papers to library@royalsociety.org by Friday 26 June 2026, with the subject line ‘proposal for conference paper’.
Financial support will be available, based on need, to help speakers cover expenses related to attendance, including accommodation, transport and care costs. We welcome papers from all stages of research careers.
