Cartoonist colleagues from Bangladesh lead a session at Harvard's ComSciCon event

Cartoonist colleagues from Bangladesh lead a session at Harvard's ComSciCon event

The ComSciCon Science Communication workshop at Harvard University, a renowned platform for enhancing the science communication skills of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, recently welcomed two distinguished guests: Bangladeshi cartoonists Nasreen Sultana Mitu and Mehedi Haque. Their innovative approach to science communication, emphasizing the use of cartoons and visual storytelling, brought a creative and culturally diverse perspective to the event.

Taking place from 13th to 16th July (US time), the workshop focused on bridging cultural and disciplinary gaps, empowering participants with unconventional communication strategies, and highlighting international collaboration in science communication.

During the first session, Nasreen Sultana Mitu and Mehedi Haque shared their thoughts on the impact of cartoons in science communication, particularly highlighting the difference in perception between Bangladesh and the US. After the session, the attendees created original pieces and received feedback from the speakers.

The workshop, ComSciCon's flagship event, aimed to help graduate student attendees meet and learn from experts. Nasreen Sultana Mitu and Mehedi Haque conducted a workshop on creative storytelling, specifically on Science Communication.

Nasreen Sultana Mitu, in her post-session remarks, discussed the similarities between problems faced by people from different backgrounds, including crises in Western society such as communities believing the Earth is flat, support for anti-vaccination campaigns, and thriving psychic businesses.

The attendees later applied what they learned from the session to create a product. This hands-on approach allowed participants to immediately apply the skills they gained, fostering a practical understanding of effective science communication.

Mehedi Haque, expressing his hope, stated that he believed the workshop would inspire Bangladeshi youth to explore the field of science communication. The workshop's innovative approach and the participation of esteemed guests like Nasreen and Mehedi underscored the importance of accessible science and the role of creative storytelling in engaging diverse audiences.

The ComSciCon workshop at Harvard University serves as a beacon for future science communicators, shaping a new generation of individuals who can effectively engage public audiences and communities worldwide.

1. The ComSciCon workshop at Harvard University's innovative approach, highlighted by special guests Nasreen Sultana Mitu and Mehedi Haque, extended beyond traditional science communication methods to include education-and-self-development in the form of creative storytelling, particularly focusing on lifestyle through the use of cartoons and visual storytelling.
2. As the ComSciCon workshop at Harvard University fostered an environment conducive to practical understanding of effective science communication, the attendees were encouraged to not only learn from experts, but also incorporate lifestyle-focused education-and-self-development into their science communication strategies.

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