María Gonçalves collaborates in the creation of a science outreach play about climate change promoted by the BSC-CNS and INCITE
Jun 26, 2025
The Sustainability Institute of UPC (ISST) congratulates its academic secretary, María Gonçalves, for her participation as a volunteer in the project CREARTE: "Co-creation of Scientific Theatre: A new interdisciplinary methodology for science communication on climate change", a pioneering stage co-creation initiative between researchers and performing artists, led by the Computational Social Sciences Lab at BSC-CNS (led by Mercè Crosas) and InCiTe, and funded by FECyT. This project has led to the theatre production “Crema, Groenlàndia”, which will premiere on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at the Teatre Eòlia in Barcelona.
María Gonçalves combines her academic duties at ISST with her research work as a scientist at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center – National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) within the Earth Sciences - Aerosols, Dust and Climate group. In the framework of the CREARTE project, she contributed to the creative process by providing scientific knowledge on climate change and atmospheric processes, within a collaborative and interdisciplinary space that seeks new ways of addressing the climate crisis.
The CREARTE Project: Theatre to understand the world ahead
The CREARTE project, promoted by BSC-CNS and the Institute of Science and Theatre (InCiTe), aims to break down barriers between science and society by establishing an alliance between scientific research and performing arts. Over several months, a group of scientists — specialists in Earth Sciences and Computational Social Sciences — met with playwrights, actors and actresses, under the pedagogical and artistic coordination of InCiTe professionals, to collaboratively create a theatre play based on real experiences and reflections.
In an initial phase of the project, qualitative data collection and analysis was completed. During this stage, the artists conducted an ethnographic immersion in the Earth Sciences Department at BSC, where they interviewed various researchers and participated in focus groups to delve into different aspects of climate change.
This co-creation process has resulted not only in a theatre play but also in an intimate space for dialogue, listening, and narrative co-design, where emotions, uncertainties, and data coexist on stage.
“Crema Groenlàndia”: Synopsis of a play between drama and science
The resulting play, “Crema, Groenlàndia”, tells a fictional story inspired by real data and testimonies, focused on the human contradictions and dilemmas in the face of the climate emergency. It shifts between intimate drama and collective narrative.
The synopsis reads: “Through the life of Diana, a scientist devoted to climate change, we witness the chronicle of humanity in the face of global warming. Personal biography and collective history intertwine to speak of the past, the present, and possible futures. Greenland, in the background, becomes a symbol of a world melting away as we let it burn in our hands. A mirror of our own society: full of doubts and helplessness, but also of resilience and hope.” (Teatre Eòlia)
Social impact and contributions to the science-society dialogue
The CREARTE project is part of emerging trends in creative science communication and transformative participation, aiming to bring science closer to society through a sensitive and artistic lens. Its goals include:
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Humanizing science, by highlighting the people behind the research.
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Creating emotional and cognitive connections between the public and scientific knowledge.
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Promoting a culture of sustainability through symbolic and dramaturgical language.
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Exploring new formats for education and awareness-raising, beyond academic or technical channels.
This experience is a powerful example of the ISST community’s commitment to social impact and transdisciplinary projects, as well as a demonstration of the potential of open, collaborative, and culturally grounded science.
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