How do we find and tell stories that capture imagination and shape how we share ideas? And what happens when you try using storytelling in unexpected areas – like academic science? Anna Ploszajski, founder of Storyology, is challenging conventions and helping people communicate with miles more impact.

Anna Ploszajski is a materials scientist. She’s also a storyteller, author, podcaster, business founder, stand-up comedian, trumpeter, channel swimmer and more.

She’s clearly willing to think differently, and to resist confining herself (or anything else) into a single neat box. She makes connections. And she has a sort of infectious curiosity. As a result, she’s a compelling communicator, with a talent for catching the imagination and making sense of complicated ideas.

Through her own experiences as a researcher, Anna realised how much opportunity there is for improving communication in academic science, including through storytelling techniques, and has founded ‘Storyology’ to help upskill scientists in communication and storytelling. She’s breaking down unhelpful conventions, and helping people to benefit from the impact of communicating much more effectively – which has massive potential within academia, and is something we can all learn from, whatever sphere we’re working in.

Anna’s a really fun, eloquent and thought-provoking interviewee, with (as you’d expect) loads of stories and insights to share.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What led Anna to think differently about science communication, including her journey through stand-up comedy.
• What the barriers can be for ‘experts’ – whether in academic or business – to improve their communication, and how to start to challenge those barriers.
• How storytelling can help us rethink and share ideas.
• Examples of how Anna uses stories in materials science, including drawing on her own experiences to bring things to life.
• How to develop a ‘story’ – including exploring structure, story arcs, characters and more.
• How to get started with using stories in any form of communication

Resources

• Storyology website - https://www.storyology.co.uk/
• Storyology podcast - https://www.storyology.co.uk/podcast
• Anna’s book ‘Handmade’ - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handmade-Scientists-Search-Meaning-through/dp/1472971086/

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.