Equitable and Inclusive Public Outreach with the James Webb Space Telescope: Combining Art, Science, and Technology

This archived content may contain outdated information or references that may not reflect current policy or programs.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope revealed its first images on July 12, 2022 and has been used for groundbreaking science since. Scientific exploration transcends international borders, making a mission like Webb feasible with collaborators including the European Space Agency (ESA), and Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Communication about NASA’s discoveries about the universe, so essential for involving the public, likewise needs to be inclusive to all. Art is a tool for cutting across the boundaries of language, culture, and ability, and serves as a bridge between the technical and non-technical communities. Art makes the beauty and nuance of science and engineering accessible in ways that may not be readily perceived to those outside of those communities of practice. Equitable and inclusive outreach endeavors are challenging to implement while considering language translations, culture context, sensory methods, and technology capabilities. Formats including “Unfolding the Universe'' virtual reality platform has allowed for a wider audience to interact with the Webb images including sounds, visual aids, and talks by the scientists and engineers who worked on Webb. This VR platform has been expanded to highlight the ESA contributors to the mission and will be showcased internationally. The Webb first images were also translated into sounds as a method of inclusion for anyone with sight disabilities. We will explore some successful outreach methods and suggestions for inclusivity in future.