I sometimes think that general and popular treatises are almost as important for the progress of science as original work.
– Charles Darwin
Our 2025 Science Envoys
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- Natasha Abrams
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- Daniel Brethauer
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- Will Johnson
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- Viraj Manwadkar
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- Savvas Marcou
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- Nicole Meister
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- Ashley Moses
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- Kristy Mualim
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- Stephanie Reeves
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- Jenni Serrano Rojas
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- Chris Soria
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- Tyus Williams
About Science Envoys
How can we encourage researchers to educate the public about their work — and about the glories of science, in general? One way: get those researchers when they’re young!
Wonderfest’s Science Envoy Program, now in its tenth year, identifies PhD students who show particular science-popularization promise. We help the budding researchers to develop the subtle art and science of public outreach. The program’s participants emerge as articulate Science Envoys, appearing before Wonderfest (et al) audiences that are eager for their insights.
Wonderfest’s Science Envoy Program presents active science communication workshops that draw on the expertise of the following teachers to develop PhD students’ outreach skills:
- Alex Filippenko (UC Berkeley) on becoming a compelling speaker and sparking enthusiasm in a large lecture course
- Robert Siegel (Stanford) on excellent teaching
- Lisa Rowland (Stanford) on using the skills of improvisation to captivate audiences
- Sara ElShafie (UC Berkeley) on “science through story”
- Jack Conte (Patreon) on building an Internet following
- Hilary Spreiter (Stanford) on “the essentials of communication”
- Jacob Bien (USC) on visual aids that truly elucidate
- Brandon Brown (University of San Francisco) on effective science writing
- Kraemer Winslow (MYP Communications) on making your point
- Robert Strong (Strong Entertainment) on holding people’s attention.
Beyond the monthly outreach workshops [September through May; half in person, half virtual; travel expenses covered], Wonderfest offers each Science Envoy at least two speaking opportunities: (1) an in-person presentation before a Wonderfest audience [remunerated], and (2) a live on-air interview with D.J. Marilynn of San Francisco’s KPOO-FM, “Poor People’s Radio” [pro bono].
The first nine years of our Science Envoy Program were superb, earning the shiny “reflections” excerpted below. As we continue to help young scientists to find their public voices, Wonderfest is excited about the long-term impact that the Envoy program can have on science popularization. What could be better for promoting science to future generations than to augment the ranks of researchers who take science popularization seriously?
Past Wonderfest Science Envoys reflect:
