Science through storytelling: the use of comics in EU research projects

13th February 2025 at 3:28 pm

Scientific research is mainly disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, policy or standards recommendations and technical reports. While effective within the scientific community, these methods often fail to reach and engage the general public. This gap can result in limited public understanding of the relevance and impact of scientific research, which is critical for fostering societal support, particularly in publicly funded projects. These include ones funded under Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and other schemes proposed by the European Union to foster excellent science and strengthen European innovation. Ensuring continued acceptance of society requires bringing science closer to the wider public.

The question remains – how to do it? Many potential channels exist to reach different target audiences. One increasingly popular tool for science communication is the use of comics. In this blog post we will outline why and how incorporating this channel to your project outreach can be beneficial.

Bringing science closer to the public

Effective science communication serves as a bridge, demystifying research outcomes and highlighting their real-world benefits to society and individuals alike. Illustrations have always played an important role in scientific writing. Over the centuries, early decorative illustrations evolved into highly formalised diagrams and data visualisations. However, when it comes to informing the general public, these visuals may not be particularly useful, as they often require high degrees of expertise to interpret the information contained. In recent years, visual narratives like animations and comics have gained recognition as powerful tools in science communication and education. By integrating visual storytelling, metaphors, and relatable characters, they provide an engaging platform that can make complex scientific concepts more accessible. Studies show that comics are especially effective in science outreach due to their ability to simplify intricate ideas, promote memory retention, and cater to diverse learning preferences. Comics appear to be an ideal medium to connect with audiences outside the scientific community, including policymakers, patient associations, media, and the general public. Successful storytelling through comics helps the public understand and value scientific research, which strengthens the case for continued investment in research and innovation.

Simplifying the complex information with narrative and visuals

Comics can break down complicated processes into appealing step-by-step illustrations, making them easier to follow. Their narrative element helps evoke emotional connections and enhances the retention of information. These characteristics make comics particularly useful for communicating about topics that have both technical and societal implications, such as emerging technologies, sustainability and health. As an example, let us introduce you to a case of the comic book titled “Mitola and the Mito-verse”. Created by MITGEST doctoral candidates (DCs), the comic aims to explain the intricacies of mitochondrial research and disorders to a wide audience, especially patients and their families, students, and the general public. The story follows Sam, a young girl with mitochondrial disease, who is eager to understand her condition. Sam embarks on an adventure into the mysterious world of mitochondria, where she meets Mitola, a friendly mitochondrion who guides their journey through the Mito-verse. Although all DCs were involved in the planning, it was Francesca Tavolaro (DC9) and Eve Harding (DC2) who brought “Mitola and the Mito-verse” to life.

You can learn more about the development process and what DCs have gained from this experience as researchers from a short interview published on the MITGEST project website.

Boosting the outreach

One must also consider what distribution channels are at hand to increase the reach of your comic. Having it available on the project website and sharing it with project partners is a good starting point, especially if the latter have well-established networks and communication channels to further share the resources. In the case of health projects, support from patient organisations is essential, as these not only can help you to reach the key target groups like patients and their families but can also provide valuable feedback on the scope and the language of the comic itself. For example, an associated partner of MITGEST, The Lily Foundation played a central role in both, refining the comic book content and reaching mitochondrial patients and their families by sharing the comic through their website and other channels. Working closely with international groups like the Mito Foundation and International Mito Patients, another associated partner – Mitocon opened further avenues for sharing the comic book. You can also expand the distribution of your resources through additional channels, including educational platforms such as EC’s Science is Wonderful!, or increase outreach efforts by engaging with schools and public institutions. Ensuring that your comic can be easily printed and distributed at schools, patient advocacy events, science fairs and relevant conferences further increases its impact.

Added value: transferable skills training

Early-stage researchers involved in EU-funded projects, especially DCs enrolled in actions funded under the MSCA – often find that training in science communication is overlooked in their local organisations. These researchers are typically focused on their specialised studies, leaving little room for developing skills in engaging with non-specialist audiences. However, the ability to communicate science effectively is a valuable transferable skill. As such it is not only requested by MSCA programme, but it also enables researchers to broaden their career opportunities and contribute to public understanding of science. The development of the MITO comic book proved to be a multi-step process, providing DCs with valuable experience in science communication, project management, and teamwork – skills in high demand across different fields.

Having a project partner who can provide science communication training is particularly beneficial for doctoral networks (DNs). Such training equips researchers with the tools and techniques to convey their findings through a wide spectrum of channels, including comics. By learning how to craft a narrative and use visual media, researchers can enhance their outreach efforts and make their work more accessible.

Effective science communication with accelopment

accelopment has extensive experience in providing communication and dissemination support to EU-funded projects, including DNs. We tailor the training to the specific needs of the project and equip researchers with the skills needed for effective science communication. These sessions cover everything from understanding the target audience and developing key messages to crafting compelling narratives and leveraging the visual representation. Such training not only enhances the visibility of the projects but also empowers researchers with valuable skills for their future careers. Do you want to learn more? Contact our communication experts.

Joanna Plesniak
Project Manager Communications, Group Lead

Jacqueline Strehler
Research & Innovation Project Manager

References:

Farinella, M. (2018). The potential of comics in science communication, JCOM 17(01), Y01. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.17010401

Davis et al. (2021). Visual Narratives in Science Communication: Bridging Gaps and Engaging Public Audiences, Frontiers in Communication. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2021.758198