Where to find inspiration as a science communicator

by Myrna Kooij

A new year brings new resolutions. Personally, I have been working out my New Year’s resolutions in the form of a bingo card together with friends, while enjoying a homebaked kniepertje. This card consists of 5×5 decorated boxes filled with goals across five categories: mental, physical, social, environmental health and a final category of discovery.

Discovery starts with curiosity. As part of this category, I want to explore more SciComm-related events to improve my science communication skills. And to make this a SMART goal, I decided that I intend to visit at least 1 exhibition per month in the upcoming year.

Maybe you’re also working on your New Year’s resolutions. And maybe you would also like to explore what’s more to science communication. To help you out, I share a selection of events that either inspired me recently, or are already on my own to-do list.

To visit: Kenniscafé Studium Generale 

Thursday 22nd of January 20:00, free for students, Dutch

When I open my Instagram or NRC app, I get a glimpse of what is going on in the world, lately mostly centred around the actions of the orange muppet leading the United States. On a regular basis, I experience this as an overload of ‘bad’ news, which leads to an urge of wanting to avoid the news altogether. That’s why the theme of the upcoming Science Cafe sparks my interest, as it’s centred around news avoiders. More information and tickets for the Kenniscafé: Nieuwsmijders.

Thursday 19th of February 20:00, free for students, Dutch

Something closer to home, as I’m originally from a small town in the north of Groningen, is the question whether I’d want a nuclear power plant in my backyard, which happens to be located in the area with earthquakes caused by gas extraction. So, no thank you, that sounds like a terrible idea. But I do wonder how nuclear power could play a role in solving our energy dilemma, which the experts will also discuss. More information and tickets for the Kenniscafé: Een Kerncentrale in je Achtertuin?

Nice to know: If you cannot make it to the evening yourself, you can watch back all Science Cafes via Platform Forum and other Studium Generale events online via YouTube. I still intend to do that for the event En toen was er kleur, with evolutionary biologist Casper van der Kooi on the evolution of colour.

To visit: Wildlife photographer of the Year

31st of January until the 3rd of May, Forum Groningen, student discount ticket 7,50

This exhibition never disappoints, as it showcases the best nature and wildlife photography from all around the world. Beyond the stunning visuals displayed on big high-quality screens, I enjoy reading the descriptive text of when and how it was taken, and what message the photographer aims to convey with this captured moment. This is definitely on my to-do list, as it serves as a nice break from studying when you’re in the city centre. More information and tickets via Forum Groningen.

To visit: Micro­kos­mos – The world in a Wunder­kammer

Until 1st of March, Drents Museum Assen, student discount ticket 9,-

Everyone has collected something at some point in their life. When I was young I used to collect pretty stones, for example. This exhibition brings together all kinds of weird, colourful, lugubrious, eyebrow-raising objects from historical cabinets of curiosities. 10/10 recommend. This collection is full of eye-catchers, including items like preserved tissues from tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher, explorer Redmond O’Hanlon, writer Ramsey Nasr and biologist Midas Dekkers.

Be aware: you should visit soon, as it’s only displayed in the Drents museum until the 1st of March. Conveniently, it’s only a short walk from Assen train station, which is less then a 20 min train ride away from Groningen. More information and tickets via Drentsmuseum.nl

To read: Connecting with history

In UG news, Dutch & English

This recent interview stayed with me, as it gives us a glimpse into the life of Valika Smeulders, head of history at the Rijksmuseum and curator of the major Slavery exhibition in 2021. I find her views on how to connect people with history are also interesting for science communicators. One metaphor that stuck with me: she compares history to a layered salad of blue cheese and greens. Sounds weird? Go read the article to find out what she means.

To watch: Choosing, Cutting, Silencing

1 hour documentary, Dutch, NPO

Do you know any intersex people? An estimate of 190.000 of people in the Netherlands were born with intersex traits, yet most remain invisible in our society. How did that come to be? For my History and Philosophy essay, I dived into the (medical) history of intersex people. This documentary made a deep impression, as it is actually made by 2 intersex persons who openly share their story. It describes their journey of self-discovery, medical silencing and undone secrecy towards friends and family. Go watch the Dutch documentary Kiezen, Snijden, Zwijgen for free via NPO Start.

Unfortunately, no English subtitles are available, but here you can find more information on the documentary in English.

To follow: viral science communication with LEGO

116k followers

This recently gone viral Dutch influencer Frank Holleman offers a brilliant example on how to keep infographics simple. Using LEGO, he visually demonstrates the impact of different food sources with the goal to help people make more sustainable choices. Go follow his Instagram account, Fork Ranger as a great source of inspiration.

To buy: A science calendar

365 days of facts, various calendars are now on discount

I very much like science facts. Last year, I had one from Kijk, with all kinds of science related facts. Recently, I spotted a new one from New Scientist NL, this Young Scientist Wetenschapskalender, for only 12,99. However, in light of #supportyourlocals I will go explore the local book stores in Groningen first to find myself a nice discounted one.

I hope you have had a good start of 2026! May your New Year’s resolutions last longer than mine usually do. 😉

Do you have SciComm inspiration to share?

For our next recommendation post, we are looking for your tips! Next time, when you visit an event, read an article, or watch a documentary or experience something other that inspired you as a science communicator, please do share this with us! We’re open to receiving your suggestions via bridgingscience.sec@rug.nl

For more events dedicated to SEC master’s students: check out our Events page, with an upcoming workshop by alumnus Kas Jansma and a guest lecture from Biologie met Joost.