REYHANEH MAKTOUFI

Dr. Reyhaneh (Rey) Maktoufi is an Iranian-American National Geographic Wayfinder Awareed and Explorer, a published researcher and science communicator focused on popularizing the science of science communication (SciComm). She is the co-producer, host, and illustrator of PBS| NOVA's digital series Sciencing Out, a mini-series celebrating female science communicators and their unique communication strategies. 

 

Rey is passionate about translating SciComm research into interesting and accessible advice for practitioners. For example, she recently learned from research that a bio is a great place to build trust with your audience. She also knows that showing benevolence is an effective way to show trustworthiness. So, here it is: after receiving a box of chocolates for teaching a workshop on empathy in SciComm, she shared one of the chocolates with a friend—not because she had to, but because she was kind [standing ovation].  

 

She is currently an HHMI—Center for Advancement of Science Leadership and Culture Fellow, where she is designing HHMI’s SciComm training program and strategy. Through her previous fellowship with Tangled Bank Studios, she has been working extensively with science media and documentary communities. She helps train early career producers and helps them design and run evaluation and impact campaigns that connect science and culture and build trust with audiences. 

 

Previously, Rey worked as a Misinformation Civic Science fellow at PBS|NOVA and a visiting researcher at the Adler Planetarium, where she studied curiosity and engagement and trained scientists. Before pursuing her Ph.D. in Media, Technology, and Society at Northwestern University, she worked as a health communication facilitator and cancer preventive/palliative care campaign manager in Tehran, Iran. Rey strongly believes in empowering communities and co-learning with them, leading her to work with communities such as ComSciCon, South Africa-based NEWF, and Jackson Wild. She also engages in SciComm outreach through her comics and illustrations and pretending to be good at creating social media memes.