1st Scientific Illustration Workshop, 2025
This is a LIVE post that will be updated as the schedule is finalised closer to the event.
The ability to create compelling visuals is crucial to communication in all scientific disciplines, playing a key role in conveying complex ideas, widening audience accessibility, and attracting attention to research. However, whilst interest in science illustration is growing, no dedicated course on scientific visual communication is included in science-related university programmes. Thus, we are organising a scientific illustration workshop to bridge the gap between science and art and to empower PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to embrace the power of visual storytelling. Participants will learn how to create compelling visuals to communicate their scientific findings to both expert and general audiences, will have talks from journal editors and art teams, and receive guidance on copyright and legal aspects of image creation from regulatory experts.
The workshop will be a two-day event (6–7th November 2025, Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow) and will focus on essential topics such as composition, colour theory, and design principles for figures, posters, presentation slides, and journal covers. We will have talks from Dr Ilaria Armenia, a research fellow and co-founder and beta-tester of 3D Protein Imaging, a free and easy-to-use software for creating high-quality renders of proteins and other biomolecules; Isa Loureiro, a free-lance scientific illustrator specialising in biomedical and natural sciences; Elisa Pappalardo, a publisher at IOP Publishing; Prof. Craig Daly, head of XR Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow (UoG); and members of the Centre for the Regulation of the Creative Economy (CREATe) from the School of Law (UoG), to advise on the changing legal regulatory landscape regarding the use of AI-generated images. The workshop will also involve hands-on workshops for the attendees, including:
- the free-to-use 3D visualisation software Blender.
- improving scientific poster designs.
- and traditional design methods lino printing and watercolour painting, to stimulate creative thinking and learn about image composition and the use of colour.
Attendance at the workshop is available on a first-come first-serve basis, with numbers limited to 50 attendees. Registration to the workshop will cost £45, but we are happy to announce free registration will be provided for PhD students.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
| DAY 1 (6th November) | DAY 2 (7th November) | ||||
| 9.30 – 9.50 | Registration | ||||
| 9.50 – 10.00 | Welcome | ||||
| 10.00 – 10.30 | Beyond the Brushstroke: Lessons on Creativity, Community and Empathy in SciArt. Isa Loureiro, freelance | 10.00 – 10.30 | Figures in Scientific Articles – An Editorial Perspective. Elisa Pappalardo, IOP Publishing | ||
| 10.30 – 11.00 | From Molecules to Illustrations: Protein Imager. Ilaria Armenia, MSCA fellow, U. degli Studi dell’Insubria | 10.30 – 11.00 | Gaining Insight from Images.Magnus Wahrenberg, Medical CANON | ||
| 11.00 – 11.30 | Coffee Break | 11.00 – 11.30 | Coffee Break | ||
| 11.30 – 12.00 | Introducing the ARC MakerSpace: Your place to create, construct and collaborate. Ken Skeldon, Maker Space, ARC | 11.30 – 12.00 | Copyright Ownership and Uncertainty in AI-generated Imagery. Kristofer Erickson, CREATe, UofG | ||
| 12.00 – 12.30 | From Microscope to Metaverse. Craig Daly, Prof. of Physiology, UofG | 12.00 – 13.00 | Panel discussion:
The role of AI in Scientific Illustration |
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| 12.30 – 13.00 | ARC-XR experience – Group 1 | Lunch | |||
| 13.00 – 13.30 | ARC-XR experience – Group 2 | 13.00 – 14.00 | Lunch | ||
| 13.30 – 14.00 | ARC-XR experience – Group 3 | ||||
| 14.00 – 15.30 | 3D Protein Visualisation for Science Communication. (Blender software required) Joe Diamond | 14.00 – 17.00 | In Black and White. Lino print Workshop. Amy Ricketts | ||
| 15.30 – 17.00 | From Drab to Fab: Pimping your Scientific Poster. Isa Loureiro | 14.00 – 17.00 | Watercolours Painting Techniques. Sarah Dunn | ||
| 14.00 – 17.00 | Introduction to Laser cut & 3D printing. Maker Space.
Graham and Ben |
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DETAILED PROGRAM
DAY 1 (6th November)
| 9.30 – 9.50 | Registration |
| 9.50 – 10.00 | Welcome |
| 10.00 – 10.30 | Beyond the Brushstroke: Lessons on Creativity, Community and Empathy in SciArt
Isa Loureiro. Freelance scientific illustrator, Spain Experienced in natural history, biomedicine, anatomy, children’s illustration, infographics, and graphic design. She collaborates with ETH Zurich, WAWA Conservation, and Illustraciencia, and regularly conducts courses and workshops. Check her webpage! |
| 10.30 – 11.00 | From Molecules to Illustrations: Protein Imager
Ilaria Armenia. Co-founder of Protein Imaging, MSCA Research Fellow. Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Italy Beta tester and science communicator for Protein Imaging, an open-access online protein visualization tool. She actively contributes to scientific outreach, making complex biological concepts accessible to a wider audience through articles and multimedia content. |
| 11.00 – 11.30 | Coffee break |
| 11.30 – 12.00 | Introducing the ARC MakerSpace: Your place to create, construct and collaborate
Ken Skeldon. University Research Engagement Manager. University of Glasgow, UK He will introduce the potential of the ARC Maker Space, a collaborative and inclusive space, designed to foster cross-disciplinary exchange. The maker space will run demonstrations of different equipment during lunchtime and coffee breaks. |
| 12.00 – 12.30 | From Microscope to Metaverse
Craig Daly. Professor of Physiology, School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health. University of Glasgow, UK He uses 3D laser scanning microscopy images to create 3D volumetric images that can be visually very appealing and informative. He is experienced in using Virtual Reality to visualise adrenergic receptor distribution and vascular structure. He also collaborates with ARC-XR. |
| 12.30 – 13.00 | ARC-XR experience – Group 1 |
| 13.00 – 13.30 | ARC-XR experience – Group 2 |
| 13.30 – 14.00 | ARC-XR experience – Group 3 |
| 14.00 – 15.30 | 3D Protein Visualisation for Science Communication
Joe Diamond. 3D modelling expert, Advanced Research Centre. University of Glasgow, UK Founder of Diamond Product Design Co., a product design company specialising in the design and manufacture of functional prototypes within impactful sectors (medtech, veterinary, agriculture and science communication). He will introduce 3D modelling in Blender. |
| 15.30 – 17.00 | From Drab to Fab: Pimping your Scientific Poster
Isa Loureiro. Freelance scientific illustrator, Spain She will provide key design principles to create visually engaging posters. She has broad expertise in infographics and cover design. |
DAY 2 (7th November)
| 10.00 – 10.30 | Figures in Scientific Articles – An Editorial Perspective
Elisa Pappalardo. Publishing expert, IOP Science She is Publisher at IOP Publishing, where she contributes to the development of the Optics portfolio and oversees the Materials for Quantum Technology journal. Her Ph.D. in Informatics focused on data analytics for biomedical challenges, and she will talk about the importance of figures in articles.
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| 10.30 – 11.00 | Gaining Insight from Images
Magnus Wahrenberg. Principal Scientist, Visualisation Team, Canon Medical Research Europe Ltd. Dundee, UK Magnus will provide insights into how even imaging data can be presented in different ways in order to get the required information across in the most effective way. |
| 11.00 – 11.30 | Coffee break and GROUP PHOTO! |
| 11.30 – 12.00 | Copyright Ownership and Uncertainty in AI-generated Imagery
Kristofer Erickson. CREATe, School of Law. University of Glasgow, UK As the Centre for Regulation of the Creative Economy, CREATe carries out economic and socio-legal research on the impacts of technology on creative work. One of his current research projects is investigating the copyright implications of generative AI, particularly images created with AI assistive tools. |
| 12.00 – 13.00 | Panel Discussion: The Role of AI in Scientific Illustration |
| In this panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the panel (professionals in scientific illustration, scientific communication, and intellectual property), by proposing discussion topics. This session promises to be particularly enriching, given the diverse backgrounds of the panellists. | |
| 14.00 – 17.00 | Parallel hands-on activities: | |
| In Black and White. Lino Print Workshop
Amy Ricketts. Artist and teacher, Blackwood Studio Blanefield, UK She has extensive experience in lino printing and has previously collaborated with researcher networking activities organised by the CoSE PDRA Network Committee. You will find more info on her website! |
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| Watercolour Painting Techniques
Sarah Dunn. Student Experience Coordinator. School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK She has a background in illustration and design and specialises in watercolour techniques and ink. Instagram: sarah_dunn_art |
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| 3D Printing and Laser cut – Maker Space (ARC)
Graham Gibson & Ben Chisholm. Research Fellow P&A Physics and Astronomy & PGR CoSE, University of Glasgow, UK They will provide the basics of laser cutting and 3D printing with thermoplastics. Attendees will learn how to export their designs using the appropriate software and how to implement them in the equipment. |
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