Journeys in civic science: Dr. Theresa Donofrio reflects on her scholarship and career path

On this episode of CivicSciTV’s Changemakers program, D’Maia Curry interviews Dr. Theresa Donofrio, PhD, a Civic Science Fellow at the Association of Science and Technology Centers, whose work alongside Seeding Action focuses on engaging museums and science centers in fostering planetary health initiatives.

She reflects on the role of museums in shaping public understanding, explaining: “Museums are doing that work to highlight stories, which stories get included. They narrate and make meanings of events. They communicate messages about identity and about belonging and about who we should be, or how we should be when we leave a museum space.”

Collaboration has been a defining feature of her career: “I’ve been really lucky throughout my journey to cross paths with and then to find collaborators who are also pursuing these questions.” She highlights how collaboration and feedback have contributed to her growth, noting: “The biggest lesson I’m learning is to share more, even when it’s a little uncomfortable. Projects are strengthened by putting them into spaces where others can give feedback and shape them.”

Her advice to others focuses on the importance of curiosity: “Let the question be the guide. The questions have often led me to collaborations and opportunities I could not have anticipated.”

Chapters

0:20 Dr. Donofrio’s Intro

1:20 Communication Studies Path

3:56 Meaning-making

4:40 Fellowship

5:25 Lines of inquiry

7:30 Very last room

9:50 Letting go

10:30 Seeing action

10:46 Imagination & Planetary Health

12:47 Synthesizing Conversations

14:52 Challenges in the Field

17:47 Advice for Researchers