TALES FROM COMIC CON: LESSONS LEARNED DEVELOPING SCIENCE CONTENT FOR POP CULTURE SPACES

Within the setting of Comic Con, science content may seem out-of-place and easily lost among the variety of more relevant pop culture content. And yet science runs deep within the fabric of pop culture. From science-inspired franchises to cosplay techniques, pop culture is often the first exposure to science that audiences have even if it is not on the forefront. The Cosplay for Science Initiative was formed to harness those threads of science woven into pop culture narratives and has found a strong foothold and community within the pop culture convention space. Through years of experience and trial and error, the Cosplay for Science Initiative and our collaborators have developed a successful science communication method to engage audiences in science that focuses on storytelling and emphasizes in-person interactions with scientists in such settings. Our success can be attributed to strategic planning of selecting popular franchises, inviting relevant experts, and developing immersive experiences to maximize noticeability and relevance within pop culture spaces. In addition, through collaborative efforts, developing science content can be made much easier and reduce the costs significantly. Here we share the Cosplay for Science Initiative’s development process and strategic planning outline to assist others looking to develop science content for pop culture spaces.