Feb 9, 2012: Don't miss this talk! Chris Sloan: 21ST CENTURY SCIENCE MEDIA LANDSCAPES

Analogous Thinking in Art & Science, Spring 2012 Speaker Series:
Thursday Feb 9, 6:30 PM
Genetics Auditorium, Rm 101
1376 Mowry Road, Gainesville Florida
Univ of Florida Campus

21ST CENTURY SCIENCE MEDIA LANDSCAPES

Scientists and artists have been partners in communicating new understandings about our world to the public for over five centuries. Now, in the context of the challenges of understanding the new complexities of science, that partnership is more important than ever, especially if we are to increase the science literacy of our population. Changing technology, new media consumption behaviors and a weak economy are just a few of the factors frustrating efforts to communicate science effectively to the public. If understood, however, some of these same factors present great new opportunities for science visualizers.

Biography: Christopher Sloan is an award-winning author and art director who specializes in bringing non-visual scientific research to life for diverse audiences. Mr. Sloan worked with National Geographic Magazine from 1992 to 2010 as art director, senior editor, and director of mission projects. During this time he proposed many of the archaeology, paleoanthropology and paleontology stories the magazine produced, and played a key role in their successful execution in the magazine as well as in corollary television shows. Among these include many popular cover stories, such as Dawn of Humans, Neanderthals, Evolution of Mammals, Sea Monsters, Rise and Fall of the Maya, Bizarre Dinosaurs, and Secrets of Stonehenge. Mr. Sloan has worked directly with scholars and governments all over the world. As the director of mission projects he played a key role in allocating National Geographic funds to support research world-wide, at times participating directly in fieldwork. As an expert in science communication, Mr. Sloan enjoys lecturing on visualizing science. He has made a number of television and radio appearances in connection with National Geographic articles. Currently, he serves as the president of ScienceVisualization, a company specializing in effective science communication.