A Scientist and a Comedian Walk Into a Bar: Humour’s Role in Science Communication

The art of communicating science to non-scientists (e.g., policy makers, lay-audiences) is the challenge faced by science communicators. Not only is it vital that scientific information leave the realm of academia to be put into action, but the goals of science communication increasingly include public engagement with science. Traditional tactics for public engagement have faced roadblocks in terms of being accessible and actually engaging to a broad audience. Communicators have thus identified that non-traditional techniques, such as adding humour, may make scientific information more accessible. In this MRP, I investigate the use of humour as a creative communication tool to engage the public with science in informal settings. I analyze 34 episodes of a funny science podcast, The Infinite Monkey Cage, to identify how humour is used, and by whom (e.g., scientists, non-scientists). I identify potential roles of common humour types and humour usage styles, as well as the role of each author type. These findings may serve to aid future humorous science communication endeavors, as well as to guide future research.