The season of science festivals is about to begin. From large-scale festivals such as the India International Science Festival to smaller ones focussed on a theme, such as the upcoming Mountains of Life by Azim Premji University, these events are essential bridges between the science community and the public.

“Science festivals are often called public celebrations of science. But not many people know about the exact origins, key characteristics, and the impact of contemporary science festivals in India,” says Sarah Hyder Iqbal, science engagement consultant. In her recent paper, From Vigyan Jathas to Science Festivals: A New Avatar of Public Engagement with Science in India, she explores the evolution of public engagement with science in India.

Since they first emerged in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1989, science festivals have now grown significantly, globally reaching more than five million people annually. They have become a crucial way of communicating scientific ideas and innovation to people. “They [science festivals] provide a pause to reflect on where we are at with respect to science and technology,” says Iqbal.

People’s science movements

In India, the beginnings can be traced back to the 1960s when there was a rise of grassroots social movements, such as the People’s Science Movements (PSM), which aim at spreading scientific literacy, Iqbal notes in her paper. Led by science activists, predominantly current and retired scientists, PSMs work towards disseminating scientific knowledge through vigyan jathas (science processions).

In the early years, the People’s Science Movement mostly comprised several organisations across India and many of them were concentrated in Kerala. A prominent one was The Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishad (Science Writers Forum of Kerala or KSSP), which was formed in 1962. Realising the monopolisation of science by a privileged minority, KSSP became a People’s Science Movement in 1972 with the motto, “Science for Social Revolution.” Over the years, several similar campaigns also emerged such as Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (Indian Association of Knowledge and Science or BGVS) in various states, including Karnataka.

“Surprisingly, many scientists and science communicators don’t know about the People’s Science Movements. It all started with science activism or science for social development. The organisers of vigyan jathas wanted to see science in social issues and vice versa,” Iqbal says.

After independence, the popularisation of science became an important spool in the wheel of social and economic development. These processions brought science to a wider range of people, unlike contemporary science festivals which attract people through promotions and marketing, Iqbal explains. “By focusing on rural India, they [PSMs] took science and technology to regions beyond the privileged and the urban society,” she adds.

Moreover, gatekeeping scientific knowledge within the community creates an echo chamber of perspectives, with no access to what society needs. Initiating a dialogue with people and making science education accessible to all equips people with the information to think critically, question harmful myths and superstitions, and contribute to new conversations and ideas. Science movements made this possible at a time when no other format and means were available.

Though People’s Science Movements are still active, the visibility is not as much as contemporary science festivals. Iqbal says there could be many reasons for this such as resource constraints because PSMs are voluntary efforts. “They also focus on grassroots and less elite spaces so there is less media interest. PSMs emphasise education over the popularisation of science and prefer less flashy, more sustained efforts over months and years,” she explains.

Contemporary science festivals

Both People’s Science Movements and contemporary science festivals focus on familiarising people with science and technology. “The science career is not well understood by the youth. Our students know about entrepreneurs, businessmen, and sportsmen, but they don’t really know who a scientist is. When we started, the idea was to address that gap through a science festival,” says Varun Aggarwal, founder of India Science Festival (ISF) by Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology India (FAST India).

ISF is one of the few bigger science festivals in India, founded in 2019. Others include the India International Science Festival (IISF) by the Government of India that celebrates scientific achievements every year, the Kerala Science Congress by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology & Environment, the West Bengal State Science and Technology Congress, and Bhartiya Vigyan Sammelan.

From hackathons, young scientists’ conclaves, workshops for aspiring teachers and educators, and startup showcases, these annual events conduct a wide array of events to initiate dialogue between scientists as well as engage people with science and technology.

For many, science festivals have become an accessible way to meet and interact with scientists and learn about the latest developments. “The way research institutions operate today, their figurative and literal walls don’t really allow for much public engagement. Science festivals provide a democratic space to explore science,” Iqbal says.

For instance, the India Science Festival 2024 report revealed that 60% of attendees met a scientist for the first time at the festival. Moreover, 95% expressed an increased interest in science.

Often in educational textbooks, science is shown as a complete and definitive body of knowledge but in festivals, the focus is on its dynamic nature, Aggarwal explains. “It is also a way of showing how science interacts with art, history, and policy. We conduct events focused on science art, exhibitions exploring science history, and science theatre,” he adds.

Along with public engagement, contemporary science festivals also provide a rare opportunity for natural and social scientists to share a space, collaborate, and exchange ideas. In the paper, Iqbal talks about how ISF has brought together psychologists, economists, biologists, and artists to discuss important topics such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and consciousness.

Diversity in science festivals

In schools, many films, and even cartoons that children are exposed to, scientists are typically portrayed as an older man with unkempt hair, a beard, and an eccentric personality. This stereotypical portrayal often makes it challenging for women scientists to gain recognition.

Even in today’s era of technological advancement, the underrepresentation of women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) remains a pressing issue worldwide. According to the 2020 United Nations report, only 14% of the 280,000 scientists, engineers, and technologists in India’s research and development institutions are women.

While lack of opportunities and support remains a major issue, fewer women role models also play a key reason. A 2017 study showed that a lack of women role models is linked to students avoiding or leaving STEM majors.

“Few young girls grow up seeing women role models, especially those who have come from similar backgrounds or their cities or villages. So, when they see women on platforms such as a science festival interact with women scientists, there is scope for inspiration,” says Iqbal.

In the paper, Iqbal states that contemporary science festivals in India are taking steps to go beyond celebrating the achievements of women scientists. Through mentorship programs, hands-on workshops, and interactive sessions, specifically for young female students, there has been an attempt to break down gender barriers and promote more participation of girls in science and technology.

“We are careful when we are curating the science festival to have enough women as our speakers and exhibitors. Usually, at least 40% of our speakers are women,” Aggarwal says.

Platforms such as @biaswatchindia (on the social media app X) have also been exposing STEM panels and discussions that are not inclusive, which has made people more conscious of the need for gender balance in such events. “Now, it’s also about their reputation. Some male scientists are now refusing to take part in ‘manels’ (all male panels), but these are few and far between,” adds Iqbal.

However, this inclusivity remains a distant milestone for the LGBTQIA+ community. “We are lagging far behind being inclusive of this community, and it’s an issue that’s not sufficiently addressed in the current festivals,” Iqbal elaborates.

Gaps in contemporary festivals

One of the major challenges, like many urban-centric events, is the lack of accessibility to regions and individuals beyond privileged spaces. Iqbal notes that people’s science movements actively try to break the privileged barriers of caste and class, but the current science festivals have not intentionally aimed to do so. “That’s a reflection on the state of science and technology in the country,” she says.

Another reason for the inaccessibility of these festivals is the language barrier. Although some festivals like the IISF include people speaking in different regional languages, some still lack in this aspect. “Many scientists are also not able to communicate in their mother tongue because we are not trained to communicate science or understand science in our regional languages,” Iqbal says.

Moreover, today, science festivals preach to the converted, Iqbal adds. While it’s important to provide a platform for people interested in science and technology to engage in the events, making it more accessible and engaging for those who are not should be a milestone to aim for.

Iqbal says, “If there’s more diversity, there are more ideas and different ways of solving problems. There is a need to move beyond this discussion and create mechanisms and pathways to bring in that diversity.”

Banner image: Public engagement event at the Indian Science Festival 2024. Image by FAST India.

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Aditi Tandon Senior Production Editor

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