COMMUNICATING SCIENCE

In the Witman Lab, we strongly believe in the communication and propagation of science.

To increase scientific engagement within our communities, we have made videos and animations, taken and distributed pictures, developed educational programs for schoolchildren, and created a social media presence.

Cashes Ledge: 
The Witman Lab teamed up with photographer Brian Skerry in an attempt to secure conservation protection for Cashes Ledge. 

Check out this article on Cashes Ledge in the Boston Globe!
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“If they open up what is basically a museum of life in the Gulf of Maine, it would be like taking a snowplow through the natural history,” said Jon Witman, a marine ecologist and professor of biology at Brown University, who has been studying the area for years. “To not protect these areas is unconscionable. This is a sanctuary.”

​Rapa Nui: 
Our documentary-style short educational video, "Marine Ecology in Easter Island," took second place in the voting for best video at the 2015 Beneath the Waves Film Festival at the Benthic Ecology Meeting in Quebec City, Canada!

Galapagos Islands:​
Our ecologically themed animation, "A Tale of Two Urchins," was published in The New York Times!

Providence, Rhode Island: 
We have also developed educational programs for local schoolchildren based on Galapagos marine life and food chains. Sofia and Robbie visited a kindergarten/transition class to talk about urchins! Read about it in a blog post here.

IN THE MEDIA

"Cambio climatico en Galápagos" Telemundo News, January 2019

​"As Seas Warm, Galápagos Islands Face a Giant Evolutionary Test" New York Times, December 2018
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"A lifetime under the waves" (cover and feature article), 41 North, August 2018

"A Warming Planet Jolts the Iconic Creatures of the Galápagos" (in print issue as "Life in the Balance") National Geographic, May 2017

"Galápagos study identifies keystone predator in a complex food web" Brown University News, May 1, 2017

"Sea of Hope: America's Underwater Treasures" National Geographic, Mar. 2017

"Why It's Important to Save Our Seas' Last Pristine Places" National Geographic Magazine, Feb. 2017
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"Galápagos waters illustrate ecological drama of climate change." Brown University News, Dec. 21, 2016

"Environmental advocates, fishermen at odds over turning Cashes Ledge into National Monument." wbur, Boston's NPR radio station, Feb. 2, 2016.

"The wonder down under." Brown Alumni Magazine, Jan. 2016.

"Conservationists push for a national undersea monument." NPR News, Oct. 18 2015.

"Obama just announced the first new marine sanctuaries in 15 years." The Washington Post, Oct 4 2015.

"Conservation groups, fishermen divided over NOAA plan for marine national monument." The Providence Journal, Sept. 15 2015.

"Proposal to create 'marine national monument' off New England coast up for discussion in Providence". The Providence Journal, Sept. 13 2015.

"Researchers study marine ecological changes at Easter Island." Brown University News, Jan. 13 2015. 

"In a briny preserve, fish and controversy thrive." The Boston Globe, July 13 2014.

"Barnacle growth provides insight into food chain." US News, May 17 2010. 

"Barnacles prefer upwelling currents, enriching food chains in the Galapagos." Science Daily, March 21 2010.