Feywild Invasion Biology: Scientific Outreach Activities Using Cosplay & Role Play
Summary:
A professor shares his experience utilizing cosplay and TTRPG themes to create inclusive and effective outreach events that teach non-scientists biological concepts through role play activities.
Description:
Our world is deeply dependent on the understanding and application of scientific data and inquiry particularly for issues of conservation and environmental change. However, there is often a disconnect between scientific ideas and peoples everyday lives. Cosplay For Science is an initiative that researches and implements best practices in science communication, using an innovative approach of cosplay in which scientists participate in an immersive experience for general audiences built on popular culture such as comic book or TTRPG worlds. This seminar describes two such events held this previous year where visitors partook in activities themed around an invasion of the Central USA by magical creatures of the Feywild to expose them to concepts and techniques conservation biologists use to detect, prevent and manage invasive biological species.