Thomas Adewumi University hosted the April 2026 edition of its KnowledgeX Series, bringing together faculty, scholars, and researchers for an engaging session on “Mastering Storytelling for Communicating Research Innovations to Communities.” The 14th edition of the series featured renowned science communication expert, Dr. Annette Klinkert, who delivered a thought-provoking lecture on translating research into real-life impact.
The session commenced with opening remarks by the Director of Human Capacity Development and host of the programme, Dr. Samuel Farohunbi, who welcomed participants and emphasized the core objective of the KnowledgeX Series as a platform for continuous learning, collaboration, and intellectual growth within the academic community.
Following the welcome address, the citation of the guest speaker highlighted Dr. Klinkert’s extensive experience in science communication, public engagement, and knowledge-based development. A PhD holder in American Studies from Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany, she is the founder and CEO of City2Science and has led numerous international initiatives connecting science, policy, and society across Europe and beyond.
Taking the stage, Dr. Klinkert introduced participants to the concept of storytelling as a powerful and universal communication tool. Describing humans as “Pan Narrans—the storytelling species,” she explained that storytelling fosters connection, simplifies complexity, and enhances understanding. She emphasized that while researchers often think in logic, people relate more deeply through stories, making storytelling essential for effective science communication.
She further explored the structure and elements of compelling storytelling, including the hero’s journey, themes, conflict, and resolution. According to her, stories transmit knowledge, preserve heritage, and make data actionable when presented in relatable and engaging formats. She also explained that authentic storytelling builds trust and helps bridge the gap between research and society, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into meaningful societal impact.
Delving into practical application, Dr. Klinkert introduced frameworks such as the “QUEST” model- Question, Understand, Evaluate, Synthesize, Transform, and the five-line story method, which outlines situation, desire, conflict, change, and result. She encouraged researchers to frame their work around people, problems, discoveries, and impact, thereby making their research more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, where participants engaged the speaker and shared insights gained from the lecture. The April edition once again reinforced the importance of effective communication in research and innovation.
At Thomas Adewumi University, the KnowledgeX Series continues to serve as a dynamic platform for equipping scholars with the skills needed to drive innovation, foster community engagement, and translate knowledge into impactful solutions for society.
