Science of Grief

In April 2020, Science Gallery hosted an international online event, Science of Grief – a multi-dimensional exploration of loss, hope and creativity during the coronavirus crisis.

Grief is a part of all our lives – but social distancing and the current pandemic have made it all the more challenging. The legacy of grief is individual, multifaceted, and varied, but in the midst of loss, many find opportunities for growth: new or deepened relationships, understanding and empathy for other people's hardships, and a renewed appreciation for the positives in their lives. Our accepted ways of coming together have been interrupted, but this event offers an online space for our communities to engage in a shared exploration of grief, both personal and collective, while we remain physically apart.

In April 2020, Science Gallery Atlanta, Science Gallery Detroit and Science Gallery Dublin came together to create the live-streamed event Science of Grief. The collaborative event was a three-hour online exploration of loss, hope and creativity, featuring scientists, poets, musicians, researchers, artists and healthcare workers. This event marked the third iteration of Science of Grief, an exploration of multiple forms of grief through scientific research, poetry, art and performance, which originated as a live all-night event by Science Gallery Detroit in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of the Arts, devised by poet Natasha Miller. We invite you to watch the event (or parts thereof) here below.

SCHEDULE:

THE FIRST HOUR: Science Gallery Dublin

(1:46) Introduction // Natasha Miller
(6:16) Learning Death // Theo Dorgan
(11:40) Keening and its Decline // Clodagh Tait
(17:23) Keening // Ruth McGill
(20:57) Dream the End // Dorje De Burgh
(26:54) A Conversation About Grief // Caroline Lloyd
(34:15) Death Cafe // Ruth McGill
(41:46) Flights // One Duck Theatre
(55:22) People Like Me // Lynn Ruane
(1:04:05) LOVE // Ryan Vail and Elma Orkestra

THE SECOND HOUR: Science Gallery Atlanta

(1:12:17) Intro
(1:14:32) Aneesh Mehta // MD, Emory faculty, physician and researcher
(1:23:29) Naomi Newton // MD, Emory School of Medicine Class of 2020
(1:29:24) Josia Mamora // Josia Mamora, RN, ADN, Emory Healthcare

(1:36:45) Nadine Kaslow // PhD, ABPP, Emory School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
(1:42:24) Heather Christle // MFA, Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing
(1:49:46) Evan Anderson // MD, Emory faculty, physician and researcher
(1:54:24) Letha Love // RN, Emory Healthcare
(2:00:08) Carlos del Rio // Emory faculty, physician and global health expert Resilience

THE THIRD HOUR: Science Gallery Detroit

(2:15:15) Harpist // Ahya Simone
(2:26:39) Omari Barksdale // On family grief in the time of COVID19
(2:35:40) Flutist // William Underwood III
(2:41:37) On the brain and grief // neuroscientist Dr. Yewande Pearse
(3:08:59) Underground Resistance // John Collins

This project was the first Network-wide research initiative by Science Gallery, shaped by PI Mark Rapaport MD at Emory University, and coordinated by Science Gallery staff across the network.