What would change if your broader impacts strategy prioritized clarity and connection over perfection and prestige?
In this behind-the-scenes conversation, host Dr. Vanessa Rosa sits down with two key members of the Science with Impact team —Yasmina Demaj, Strategic Science Communicator, and Rafael Fernanz , Video Producer—to explore how and why the team approaches science communication differently.
From designing audience-first messaging to helping researchers feel comfortable on camera, this episode breaks down how the team measures societal change through the SDD framework—Scale, Depth, Duration—and why clarity, trust, and connection are more valuable than views or prestige.
Whether you’re a PI planning a broader impacts strategy or a grad student just dipping your toes into public engagement, this episode offers tools to help you clarify your “why” and amplify your message.
🤔 Who is this for?
- Researchers & faculty rethinking what meaningful outreach looks like—and how to measure it.
- SciComm professionals designing strategy, messaging, or media that drives connection, not just clicks.
- Students & early-career scientists learning how to show up on camera and explain their work with purpose.
📋 What is it about?
In this behind-the-scenes episode, host Dr. Vanessa Rosa speaks with Yasmina Demaj and Rafael Fernanz, the core creative team behind Science with Impact. Together, they unpack what it really takes to communicate science with clarity and purpose—from writing for impact to producing engaging, trust-centered videos. The conversation dives into how their team supports researchers in sharing stories that move beyond prestige metrics and toward long-term, measurable change.
🔑 Key Takeaway: Impactful science communication starts with intention. By grounding your message in real-world relevance—and designing with your audience in mind—you can create clarity, trust, and connection that last far beyond the screen.
⌚️ Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction to the Team
00:12 The Shift from Prestige to Purpose
01:13 Behind the Scenes: Meet the Team
02:32 Personal Journeys into Science Communication
03:45 The Role of Science in Our Lives
05:50 Visual Storytelling in Science
08:17 Simplifying Science for the Public
12:31 The SDD Framework for Measuring Impact
18:30 Challenges in Measuring Human Change
28:21 The Future of Science Communication
34:18 Podcast Goals and Aspirations
📣 Guests:
Rafael Fernanz — Award-Winning Director and Video Producer; Founder of Cinematic Memories
Yasmina Demaj — Strategic Science Communicator, STEM Equity Researcher
🎙️ Host
Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., is the founder of Science with Impact, where we partner with research organizations to translate STEM advancements into measurable societal benefits beyond academia.
🙌🏽 Want to collaborate?
If you know of a research organization seeking support in:
- Measuring (program evaluation, statistics/data analysis, and reporting) or
- Communicating (illustration/animation, data visualization, and presentations)
the impact of their STEM research, click the button below to connect them with Dr. Rosa.
❤️ Love the cause?
Our mission is to provide grants and supplemental awards to research scientists and organizations that have a broader societal impact.
To support this mission, we've established a nonprofit.
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Thank you for all you do to broaden the societal impacts of STEM research.
Sincerely,
The Team at Science with Impact
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