Chapter 3: Mapping Science-Theatre Practices

As discussed in Chapter 2, although science communication has contributed to the theoretical field of science-theatre, this contribution has hitherto been fragmented, diffused and diluted in the broader literature on the subject. Thus, we sought to gather and stitch together the available academic production coming specifically from this field (particularly in English and Latin languages), in an attempt to draw a first theoretical overview of science-theatre in the context of science communication. Likewise, we wanted to gather evidence on practices in the area, in order to draw an overview of actions and productions uniting science and theatre within the scope of science communication. However, the lack of systematised data in the literature on these practices, which contrasted with our empirical knowledge about their plurality and their recent expansion in various countries, encouraged us to undertake an international mapping of these activities. From this scoping study, exploring the extent and nature of science-theatre around the globe and the views of those involved in its production, we hope to paint a picture of the science-theatre landscape.