UO Science and Comics Initiative in Oregon Quarterly
Drawn to Science
Oregon Quarterly April 7, 2021
Research faculty members and students from the UO’s first-in-the-nation comics studies minor bring complex concepts to life through illustrations
The University of Oregon Science/Comics Interdisciplinary Research Program pairs artistic students with accomplished scientists to create dynamic illustrations that tackle subjects not normally seen in the pages of a comic book—complex concepts such as neuromodulation of brain states, biological populations in space, and the search for dark matter—in an artistic mode not normally seen in a science textbook.
The innovative program was founded through a collaborative and interdisciplinary effort between physics assistant professor Tien-Tien Yu and comics studies assistant professor Kate Kelp-Stebbins. Under the program, selected students receive fellowships of $1,000.
Since its launch in spring 2020, the partnerships have given rise to a growing stack of brightly illustrated and entertaining comics that are remarkably effective vehicles for science communication. Students and faculty members agree: the creative collaboration is challenging but enriching.
Before getting into nonfiction comics, Chloe DaMommio was focused on sculptural forms of art, including polymer clay and needle felting. A junior marine biology major, DaMommio partnered with UO assistant professor Jayson Paulose, a theoretical physicist in condensed matter physics. One of Paulose’s scientific questions is understanding how biological populations expand in space, which proved to be a fit with DaMommio’s interest in marine biology.
Read the full story here: https://around.uoregon.edu/drawn-science