💡 How can mentorship, collaboration, and balance shape not just scientific careers, but whole communities of future researchers?
IIn this behind-the-scenes conversation, host Dr. Vanessa Rosa sits down with two key members of the Science with Impact Podcast team, —Yasmina Demaj, Strategic Science Communicator, and Rafael Fernanz , Video Producer—to explore how and why the team approaches science communication differently.
From designing audience-first messaging to helping researchers feel comfortable on camera, this episode breaks down how the team measures societal change through the SDD framework—Scale, Depth, Duration—and why clarity, trust, and connection are more valuable than views or prestige.
🤔 Who is this for?
📋 What is it about?
Together the Science with Impact Team unpacks what it really takes to communicate science with clarity and purpose—from writing for impact to producing engaging, trust-centered videos. The conversation dives into how their team supports researchers in sharing stories that move beyond prestige metrics and toward long-term, measurable change.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Impactful science communication starts with intention. By grounding your message in real-world relevance—and designing with your audience in mind—you can create clarity, trust, and connection that last far beyond the screen.
⌚️ Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction to the Team
00:12 The Shift from Prestige to Purpose
01:13 Behind the Scenes: Meet the Team
02:32 Personal Journeys into Science Communication
03:45 The Role of Science in Our Lives
05:50 Visual Storytelling in Science
08:17 Simplifying Science for the Public
12:31 The SDD Framework for Measuring Impact
18:30 Challenges in Measuring Human Change
28:21 The Future of Science Communication
34:18 Podcast Goals and Aspirations
📣 Guests
Rafael Fernanz — Award-Winning Director and Video Producer; Founder of Cinematic Memories
Yasmina Demaj — Strategic Science Communicator, STEM Equity Researcher
Host:
Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., is the founder of Science with Impact, where we partner with research organizations to translate STEM advancements into measurable societal benefits beyond academia.
🙌🏽 Want to collaborate?
If you know of a research organization seeking support in:
Measuring (program evaluation, statistics/data analysis, and reporting) or
Communicating (illustration/animation, data visualization, and presentations)
the impact of their STEM research, click here to connect them with Dr. Rosa.
❤️ Love the cause?
Our mission is to provide grants and supplemental awards to research scientists and organizations that have a broader societal impact.
To support this mission, we've established a nonprofit.
Click this link to donate to a specific initiative.
🙌🏽 Enjoying the content?
Here are 3 things you can do to help other research scientists see this content:
Thank you for all you do to broaden the societal impacts of STEM research.
Sincerely,
The Team at Science with Impact
