PhD students involved in telling science: the possibilities of comic medium in science communication

Résumé En

The approach to science communication through storytelling should be closely examined, as its assets of attractiveness and efficiency are not without constraints. The French Stimuli association supports devices and research on the impact of comic language on science communication and education, giving an active role to the PhD students. Two devices are presented and discussed: i) the "Comics&science workshops", in which a PhD student provides a scientific presentation to a group of teenagers invited to create a one-page comic strip from the scientific theme provided, ii) the "Science through comics" trainings throughout young researchers are informed how to transpose his/her research into the semiotic codes of graphic narration. In both cases, the PhD students are guided to adapt their discourse to the public, to be watchful on the visuals, languages, and metaphors they deliver and/or they validate. If they assume the role of co-mediator in the workshop, they become co-author during the training, fruitful experiences in term of appropriation of scientific narratives. The specificities, the benefits and the limits of both situations are presented according to their impact on young researchers' implication in sharing science to different audiences.