When I embarked on my journey in science communication two decades ago, I, as a molecular biologist, believed that the key to effective communication was simply repackaging facts. Back then, I collaborated with professionals from various fields such as communicators, journalists, economists, sociologists, psychologists, and artists, all working together in the emerging field of science communication. I used to think that scientists were the only ones capable of effectively disseminating facts and that facts alone were enough. My perspective has since evolved.
Recently, this belief was reinforced during two meetings focused on storytelling. The first meeting involved an interview with Princeton University’s Blue Lab, a group dedicated to sharing the stories of individuals who have experienced the impacts of climate change. Researchers from the lab visited the Philippines to document the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (known internationally as Haiyan) ten years later. Through archival research, fieldwork, and interviews, they are creating a multimedia platform that combines stories, satellite images, scientific data, and personal experiences. During this interview, I had the opportunity to speak with two photographers, Veejay Villafranca and Aaron Vicencio. Veejay extensively covered Yolanda, and his photographs have reached a global audience. Aaron, on the other hand, is a visual geographer and a fellow faculty member at our department in the Ateneo. Together, we shared our experiences working on or studying Yolanda, and from these conversations emerged the power of storytelling.
We uncovered stories that highlighted the resilience and resourcefulness of individuals in the face of Yolanda’s fury. We learned about the Basey caves where people sought refuge, the uplands of Guiuan where people dug deep holes and covered themselves with tarps to survive, the origin of Tacloban’s name symbolizing the city’s vulnerability to flooding, the fisherfolk familiar with typhoon-force winds, and the provincial barangay residents who gathered to discuss news and make collective decisions regarding evacuation. These stories were more than just indigenous knowledge, disaster subculture, or disaster memory; they were narratives at risk of disappearing because those in control only focused on disseminating information.
A story is not merely a retelling of facts, but a way for individuals to structure and make sense of their experiences. My realization of this occurred when I transitioned from bench science to social sciences. While bench scientists seek patterns in the chaotic world, social scientists embrace the chaos and explore how people derive meaning from it. Every experience carries a story, and there are numerous ways to express it, whether through mathematical formulas, narrative arcs of trials and triumphs, photographs freezing a moment in time, or numerical tables illustrating the clustering of variables. Stories help humans find meaning and understanding.
This notion aligns with the narrative paradigm put forth by the late academician Walter Fisher, who argued that humans are naturally drawn to stories because they are more persuasive than a logical argument based solely on facts. Later in the day, I had a discussion with a fellow scholar about her plans for a Ph.D. Taking on a Ph.D. entails a commitment to a life of research, which requires identifying the specific area of study. She was struggling with this decision, so I delved into her core values and motivations. Eventually, her interest in fans and storytelling emerged as her driving force, as she was fascinated by how fans create their own meaning from stories, beyond the control of the original authors. Fans become active participants in the artistic works they consume, rather than mere spectators.
Throughout this day of storytelling and reflection, I was reminded of the essence of communication. It is not simply about repackaging facts, disseminating information, or issuing commands like “unite” or “love.” Communication is about discovering meaning, understanding how individuals perceive the world, and never assuming the stories they can tell if given the opportunity.
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