Making Science Work for Social Justice: Storytelling for Solidarity Science

White hand holding flask and Red raised fist against Black background, Science for the People event title Making Science Work for Social Justice: Storytelling for Solidarity Science, with the Truth School
Saturday, October 24, 2020 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Online Event - Login credentials via email for registered participants
Following on our very successful program last spring (archived here), the Western Mass chapter of Science for the People will bring scientists, students, and community organizers together in a further exploration of "solidarity science," with a focus on the powerful role that storytelling plays in making science work for social justice.
 
In this class, we will explore the principles of storytelling in ‘solidarity science’ and what it means for our community. We will present a few examples that illustrate how solidarity science solves problems by recognizing the significance of social, political, economic, and cultural contexts and by inviting many people and types of knowledge to the table. Participants will workshop how we can use storytelling in solidarity science to address the issues we identify in the community, and how we can make science a public good.

Our workshop is intended for a wide audience with diverse perspectives. At the core of solidarity science is a focus on reaching multiple experiences and understandings to solve problems. Our audience is asking how to demand more from the scientific community, how to create coalition, how to listen to each other better, how to critique the role of science in our lives, and rather than asking, “how do we fix this?”, asking, “who do we need at the table to fix this?” Everyone is warmly welcome at this lively, exciting, and provocative workshop – join us!

Trainers: Members of Western Mass Science for the People. Science for the People takes a radical understanding of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) that acknowledges the intersections of power systems. Here in Western Mass, our chapter looks into how we can use social justice concepts in STEMM classrooms and enact solidarity science by working with grassroots organizers to address environmental justice issues in our community.
 
Please register and share widely!