“It’s very not ‘yes, and’”: How scientists and science communicators deploy improvised comedy as a form of science communication

Abstract

Over the past few decades, explicitly humorous or comedic science communication initiatives have become increasingly prominent. Within this context, a number of scientists and science communicators have chosen to deploy improvised comedy (“improv”) which incorporates and foregrounds science as a form of science communication. This study of a small selection of international science improv groups aims to better understand the emergence of science improv as a form of science communication, including who is creating science improv, for what purposes, and with what consequences. The research highlights the tension perceived by many scientists who perform science improv between an inherently spontaneous theatrical approach and the “risks” associated with uttering scientific mistruths, as well as the ways in which scientists have attempted to mitigate this tension by either avoiding scientific content or diluting the artistic commitments usually inherent to the improv medium (i.e. the principle of “yes, and”).