Visuality of Science

The endeavor of science has a lot of images produced as data, as an assembly of apparatus, and as documentation of processes, networks, and relationships. With such strong visuality, it merits discussion on where images in science come from, what they mean for science, science communication, and beyond.

Talk: Drawing is inquiring

In this talk, I share examples from history and from my work where drawing or imaging or any other kind of visualization has catapulted scientific discovery.

Dynein superamolecule, pencil sketch
Dynein superamolecule, pencil sketch

Course: Image of objectivity

A general studies course that ran at Srishti Manipal Institute. Based on Daston’s essay ‘Image of objectivity’, we questioned what objectivity means in science and image making. While practicing observational drawing, we attempted to understand how individual biases, preferences, and visual styles affect the recorded data.
As a highlight of the course, the design students interviewed scientists about the meaning of science, and objectivity.

Student made zines on Objectivity of Science
Student made zines on Objectivity of Science
Student interacting with herbarium specimen at VITM
Student interacting with herbarium specimen at VITM