Visiting Professor with a Passion for Climate and Sustainability Communication
He is a trained astrophysicist and currently serves as Senior Director of Morrison Planetarium and Science Visualization at the California Academy of Sciences in the United States. Now, he’s a visiting professor at the Visualization Center C, here to share his expertise in science communication and dome production, while also drawing inspiration from our innovative environment.
We sat down for a chat with Ryan to get to know him a little better.
How did your interest in astronomy and science communication begin? When I was seven, I visited Adler Planetarium and it made a huge impression on me. I was terrified by the star projector in the cetner of the room, and then I learned that the sun wouldn’t exist forever. These experiences of awe ignited my interest in space and science communication. During my studies, I worked part-time at a planetarium. That’s where I realized I could combine my passion for science with art, storytelling, and visualization. That’s when it dawned on me that this could become my profession.
What happened after your studies? I opened planetariums in Phoenix, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I honed my technical and leadership skills. Then I got a position at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, where I worked on producing shows for the planetarium. Together with my colleagues, we created presentations that took visitors on guided tours through the universe using science visualization. For 18 years now, I’ve been the director of the planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences, where I’ve started focusing more on Earth and climate-related issues.
What are your thoughts on climate communication? I don’t want to scare people with grim climate data. It’s more important to create space for reflection and conversation. The goal is to inspire action and shared responsibility. It’s not just about showing how bad things are, but about helping people feel that they can be part of the solution.
You often talk about the importance of storytelling in science communication. Why is it so important? People remember stories much better than isolated facts. In the planetarium, you can take the audience on what I call a “narrative journey” that is emotional and experiential. I want people to feel like they are part of nature, not separate from it. Storytelling helps create that connection.
What role does visualization play in research and education? Visualization is a powerful tool for understanding and exploring complex data. In research, though, there is sometimes a reluctance to “trust images.” I think that’s a shame, because visualization can help researchers see patterns they might otherwise miss. In education, it’s also a fantastic way to engage students and spark discussion—especially in immersive environments like planetariums.
Can you give some examples of good visualizations? Here at the Visualization Center, I’d like to highlight the large globe on the fifth floor that shows climate change, and the 3D model of the mummy where you can “peel back the layers” to discover the story inside. Visualizations like these really make people pause and think—and most importantly, get them talking to each other.
What are you focusing on most right now? I’m most interested in how we can use storytelling and visualization to talk about climate and sustainability in a way that sparks hope and engagement and action, rather than resignation. It’s about showing what’s possible—not just what’s wrong.
Guest Lecture on May 26
Curious to learn more about how to foster conversations around the climate transition, and how the dome can be used as a platform for communicating science? During the Visualization Center’s anniversary week, on Monday at 17:00, May 26, Ryan Wyatt will give a guest lecture open to all who register. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more information!
