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Ocean Decade Community of Practice presents

Science-Art Symbiosis

Workbook and Professional Inspiration Session
The Ocean Decade Community of Practice has been exploring the practice of science-art with the intention of inspiring future creations by the network to be showcased at the MEOPAR Annual Meeting in November, and beyond. Developed by interdisciplinary scientist Samantha Jones, these activities aim to engage diverse participation across the network and centre the science-art practices of diverse folks. No previous experience with art is necessary.  
These activities align with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Challenge 10: Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean and Outcome 7: An inspiring and engaging ocean. Ocean literacy and communicating the value of the oceans is important for knowledge mobilization and to inspire people to get involved. These activities are officially endorsed as UN Decade contributions.

Important dates

  • August 16, 2022: Workbook released 
  • September 14, 2022, 2-3 PM AT: Professional Inspiration Session 

Science-Art Showcase  

  • September 30, 2022: Deadline for expression of interest  
  • October 31, 2022: Deadline for artwork submission  
  • November 24, 2022, 3:30-5:00PM AT: Artworks revealed 

Science-Art Learning Activities

Science-Art Symbiosis Workbook
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Workbook

The workbook tool is available to MEOPAR network members (and the public) and can be used asynchronously to explore science-art. More info.

Professional Inspiration Session
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Professional Inspiration Session

This panel discussion complement the workbook and aims to engage the science-art practices of folks inside and outside the MEOPAR network. More info.

Science-Art Showcase
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Showcase

Applying knowledge gained from the first two activities, the showcase will be integrated into the Annual Meeting Gather virtual venue. More info.

Science-Art Symbiosis Workbook:

A how-to guide   

This science-art workbook includes invitations to reflect, generate ideas, and explore how science and art can work together. The workbook tool is available to MEOPAR network members (and the public) and can be used asynchronously to explore science-art. The workbook includes activities, reflection questions, challenges, and more to help people consider how they might develop their own science-art practice.

The content is inclusive of all experience levels and is intended to be used by folks from many disciplines. The content includes smaller and larger scope suggestions and prompts to provide flexibility in the time and resources required. As you move through the workbook, consider how you might incorporate science-art into your fieldwork, research activities, and planning into the future. 

Workbook sample. Download for full workbook.

Meet the Practitioner: Samantha Jones 

We can use art together with our science to amplify results and to reflect on our research from a different perspective. There are many ways to marry scientific ways of working with artistic practice and it is often more seamless that you may think.

My typical creative media is poetry, and science finds its way into my writing in different forms. The poem “Ocean Acidification” explains a process and its context in the midst of the climate emergency while simulating ocean acidification via the arrangement of the words and blank space on the page. Poems like “Studying the freshet” and “Red Phalarope” transport you to Freshwater Creek (Iqaluktuuttiaq [Cambridge Bay], Nunavut), the field site central to my research. These pieces immerse you in the field experience as well as showcase some of the seasonal variations and changes associated with the carbon cycles and the local environment in general. Data can be used to generate poetry; the poem “05BH004 (1915–2019)” was created based on flood data from the Bow River in Calgary, Alberta. Other works that I’ve published in literary journals use scientifically accurate imagery and metaphors based on nature to explore and comment on a variety of themes. The pendulum may swing closer to science or art depending on the project goals and intended audience.  

“Ocean Acidification” can be read and listened to here and watched here. 

“Studying the freshet” and “Red Phalarope” can be read here along with an essay discussing fieldwork poetics. 

“05BH004 (1915–2019)” can be read here.