NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry “Beyond the Elements”

Training scientists to communicate effectively with each other across disciplines and with the general public is a well-known challenge. Public trust is at an all-time low and the stakes of scientific innovation have never been higher. Cross-discipline collaboration is essential to solving the remaining great challenges in the science world, yet the question remains how to build those connections and then demonstrate to a grant committee that the work is different, impactful, and deserving of continued support in a highly competitive funding environment.

Brown Barn Studios embedded with students and researchers, spending time both in and out of the lab to understand the heart of the program. We designed a story that embraced the passion the students have for their work, highlighted the emotional arcs that make their journeys compelling, and honored the science that anchors it all. The result was a film that became a valuable asset for the center, clearly conveying its impact and helping to secure another $20 million round of funding in an increasingly difficult landscape.