Dr. Rose Basom from the Science Museum of Virginia outlines their public engagement work

On this episode of Questions of the Day on CivicSciTV, Fanuel Muindi sits down with Dr. Rose Basom, the David and Jane Cohn Scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia. Dr. Basom shares how the museum brings science within reach—through accessible exhibit design, inclusive programming like “Science After Dark” and “Senior Mornings,” and a deep commitment to reaching all Virginians. “Our mission is to inspire all Virginians, and we take that very seriously,” she explains, highlighting the museum’s newest gallery, Orbits, which features tactile and auditory space experiences co-developed with vision-impaired communities.

The conversation also unpacks how community and scientist partnerships shape the museum’s civic science efforts—from citizen science on air quality to collaborative forums on climate change. Dr. Basom reflects on her nonlinear career path from forensic anthropology to museum leadership and encourages practitioners, funders, and communicators to get involved. “We’re here to inspire, not to lecture,” she emphasizes, calling on collaborators to join the museum in co-creating science experiences that are accurate, engaging, and inclusive.

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Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science ethnographer. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.