Resilient rebound
A visual essay on materials science researchers confronting plastic pollution in the post-Covid-19 era
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2175955 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Carlos Espinoza-González (0000-0003-2838-0722, Research Centre for Applied Chemistry, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 1-13 |
| Publication date | 2024-08-15 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Visual Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1472-586X • E-ISSN: 1472-5878 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/1472586x.2024.2384415 |
| OpenAlex | W4401616345 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 23 |
In this visual essay, the author embarks on a personal and metaphorical journey on the challenges faced by materials science researchers in the post-COVID-19 era through the lens of their own experiences. Central to this narrative is the 'cart of dreams and knowledge', representing the researcher ́s academic learnings and aspirational pursuits in hobbies and personal passions. As they confront the 'garbage monster' – a metaphor for plastic pollution and escalating environmental crises – their metaphorical carts undergo a transformative journey, representing their resilience and adaptability. This resilient rebound is vividly captured through illustrations integrating historical data, observations and personal experiences as primary data collection tools. These illustrations serve as an analytic device reflecting the researchers' emotional and academic endeavours during the pandemic. This creative approach introduces an imaginative world while integrating real images within the comic format, grounding these experiences in their personal and professional lives. The essay portraits the author in imaginative worlds, probing their resilience and adaptability, evocative of comic book heroes. By highlighting the collective fight against plastic pollution, the author weaves a tale of hope, innovation, and collaborative spirit, inviting a call to action for a sustainable future in the post-COVID-19 era, thus fostering a sense of empathy and connection with a broader audience
Aesthetics · Art · Comics · Empathy · Literature · Metaphor · Narrative · Pedagogy · Sociology · Storytelling · Transformative learning · Visual arts · Healthcare and Environmental Waste Management · Microplastics and Plastic Pollution · Psychology · Social Psychology
Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made
Home is where it happens
Face masks as floating signifiers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Belgium
The “garbage crisis” and the weight of history
Data visualization as creative art practice
Creative and visual communication of health research
RE/MAP 2.0 in Tokyo
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |