Movies and science capital: Influence of science on screen on scientific career choices

Segovia-Rold�n, Margarita; Little, Hannah

Abstract

The use of art and culture for science communication continues to be widely demonstrated. One of the most prominent ways science is embedded into culture is on screen, from documentaries and television series to short films and blockbusters. As young people engage with film and television for entertainment in informal contexts, it’s possible science on screen can contribute to awareness, knowledge and trust in science. In turn, raising the Science Capital of young people, making them feel that science is part of their world and making them potentially more likely to follow a scientific career path.

The use of film and television as tools for science communication has been widely demonstrated [1][2]. However, how cinema influences researchers to pursue a scientific career is an open question.

In this presentation, we will present the findings of an online survey with participants currently working in science. Fourteen quantitative and qualitative questions probed the relationship between participants’ early experiences with science on screen and their scientific career choices. Questions probed whether participants had an early interest in science and/or films in their younger years, whether there were specific films they felt had influenced them, and also asked them for demographic information about their subject, gender, age, race, sexuality and country of origin. As well as establishing broad trends with regards to how science on screen has influenced people who choose scientific careers, we will also present evidence for how influential examples of science and scientists on screen interact with specific demographic features.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Popularizing STEM: Science and Technology in 21st-Century US Popular Culture
• Start Date: Nov 15, 2021
• End Date: Nov 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 4, 2021
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7741824