STEM Engagement Using Poetry: Through the Lens of One Welfare

‘One Welfare’ is a new discipline emerging from animal welfare science, a cross-disciplinary STEM subject, which recognizes the interconnection between the well-being of people, and animals and their environment. The Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of One Welfare, through the emergence of the virus at a ‘wet market’ in China to the role that companion animals have played during lockdown. Through an innovative partnership between the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and Poetry Ireland, this project will create multimedia, blending art with science, to engage the general public with STEM, through the lens of One Welfare.
The European Commission’s Special Eurobarometer 442 reported that Irish citizens want to be better informed about animal welfare. This novel project represents the first step in exploring new ways of engaging Irish citizens with animal welfare science through the lens of One Welfare, to enable an informed dialogue about STEM in everyday life. One Welfare is relatable and presents a gateway to STEM, broadening the reach and societal engagement.
This project aims to stimulate engagement and curiosity in animal welfare science, through the lens of One Welfare, to explore new ways to attract and persuade those who would not typically engage with STEM using poetry, the Spoken Word, videography and infographics. UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and Poetry Ireland will collaborate to create a communication portfolio that will engage citizens on One Welfare, blending art with science and culminating with a Spoken Word event on World Animal Day.