Science in the Galleries is an experimental public science+art communication event co-organized by the Curriculum Fellows Program at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Art Museums.
A small cohort of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from Harvard and affiliated hospitals will have the opportunity to present their research in a short, 5-minute talk during a public event at the Harvard Art Museums on December 12, 2026.
Each presenter will build their scientific story around a work of art of their choice from the museum’s collection and will present without slides, using the artwork as their only visual support.
Participating researchers will develop their talks during three workshops held between October and December, with the support of museum experts.
Cover artwork: Samuel F. B. Morse, Gallery of the Louvre, 1831–33. Terra Foundation for American Art, on loan to the Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, MA.
Applications from Harvard G3+ PhD students (third year and above) and postdoctoral fellows (including from affiliated hospitals) are welcome.
No previous experience is required, either in science communication or in the arts.
You will be asked to provide your contact information, affiliation, research area, and a short paragraph explaining why you would like to participate in this event. This motivation statement will be the primary criterion used to select participants.
In addition, you will be asked to commit to attending all workshops and the public event at the museum. This program is part of the museum’s official public offerings, and visitors, museum staff, and fellow presenters will be counting on your participation. Please apply only if you are confident you can participate in all scheduled sessions (see below).
Selected participants will be notified by email by October 1st, 2026.
If you have questions, get in touch with Lorenzo Gesuita: lorenzo_gesuita@hms.harvard.edu
ABOUT THE EVENT
Science in the Galleries explores the many ways visual art can support science communication. Whether you use a painting as a visual analogy for cell morphology, the life story of an artist to discuss the progression of a disease, or color and form to illustrate a neurological process, the goal is to engage a lay audience with your research through the inspiring power of a painting, sculpture, print, or photograph. The event takes place in an art museum, a unique setting for dialogue with the public, making it one of the first initiatives of its kind.
Participating researchers will develop their talks during three workshops held between October and December (see the schedule below), with the support of museum experts.
The public event will take the form of guided tours: visitors will walk through the galleries with scientists, who will lead them to the artwork they have selected and deliver a five‑minute talk about their research, using that artwork as the only visual aid. Visitors will also have time to ask questions after each talk.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Build communication skills. Practice turning your research into a clear, engaging five‑minute story for non‑specialist audiences, with coaching and feedback from communication and museum professionals.
See your work differently. Use visual art to look at your research from new angles and reflect on its broader social and ethical dimensions.
Engage the public. Meet diverse museum visitors, answer their questions, and help make science and scientists more approachable.
Collaborate with the Harvard Art Museums. Explore the collections, work with museum staff, and contribute to an innovative pilot program at the intersection of art and science.
SCHEDULE AND EXPECTATIONS
Selected participants will be asked to commit to attending all three preparatory workshops and the public event:
Workshop 1, Thursday, October 15, 2026, 3:00–6:00PM
"Principles of Science Communication" at HMS Longwood
Participants will reflect on why they should invest time in science communication to the general public, who they want to reach, what key message they want to share, how they can make people care, and how to tell a compelling story using the right words.
Workshop 2, Thursday, October 29, 2026, 2:00–5:00PM
"Science Communication in the Art Museum" at the Harvard Art Museums
Participants will explore the many ways visual art and the museum space can be used to establish dialogue with the lay audience and support effective science communication.
Between Workshops 2 and 3, participants will choose a work of art from the Museum's collection, develop a draft of their 5-minute talks, and meet one-on-one with facilitators for feedback on Zoom.
Workshop 3, Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 2:00–5:00PM
"Practice session" at the Harvard Art Museums
Participants will practice their talks in front of their artwork of choice and receive feedback from peers and the facilitator.
Saturday, December 12, 10:30AM–12:30PM and 1:30–3:30PM
"Science in the Galleries", public event at the Harvard Art Museums
FACILITATORS
Lorenzo Gesuita, Lecturer on Genetics at Harvard Medical School and ALM Candidate in Museum Studies, lorenzo_gesuita@hms.harvard.edu
Jen Thum, Associate Director of Academic and Campus Partnerships and Research Curator at Harvard Art Museums
Bess Paupeck, Associate Director of Public and Community Programs at Harvard Art Museums
Ryan Schmidt‑Knapik, PhD Candidate in Organismic & Evolutionary Biology and Graduate Student Teacher-Harvard Art Museums