Making sense

Information about the human mind is more and more available, but less and less easy to understand. Most of the research  done in academia never reaches the people who could benefit from it, and contribute to it.

How can a person living with mental health challenges connect with insights from neuroscience or genetics—and offer their own experience in return? How can citizens of all ages engage with complex topics such as the nature of consciousness, social bounds or creativity?


At Terra Cognita, we work to change that by making sense—both intellectually and through the senses.

We combine philosophy, brain science, and human data to rethink science participation through radically new designs and experiences that are tangible, participatory, and inclusive. We believe that for knowledge to be just, it must not only be available—it must make sense.


Our activities are self-initiated, shaped by strategic partnerships with institutions committed to broadening access, or supported through dedicated funding. And at every step, we train and include new volunteers from all backgrounds, helping them become facilitators of shared understanding.



Because making sense isn’t just a metaphor. It’s how people connect—with ideas, with others, and with the world around them.

How we work

  • Why we differ

    Science journalists, documentaries, sciences museums and centers exist to take ideas to people.


     We work in the opposite way : we start with people, and work out how to make ideas come to them. Our experience comes from decades of work in cognitive science, psychology and philosophy looking at how we engage with concepts, methods and formats. 


    We don't have one size-fits-all projects. We work with people and institutions, one content at a time, and use your help to do three things : 

    1. Research to understand which bariers exist between individuals and the knowledge they wish to engage with 

    2.  Design and test new solutions to remove these obstacles, or work better with them. For sometimes, a minus can become a plus....

    3. Grow the engagement of individuals and citizens, by empowering them to share and contribute more widely in the scientific process. 


    We publish reports on our research on the science of science communication and participation, and share them with other actors. 



  • Identify barriers

    Only one-in-six American engages with scientific news [1]. This is not because the information is not there -especially now with internet access, TV programmes and museums. The problem holds elsewhere, sometimes with other issues of access, literacy, lack of resources or education. Yet everyone, old or young, is curious to know about something and has knowledge or experience to share. What are barriers that keep people away from engaging with scientiic ideas - when they want to? 


    Is the communication too passive and didactic? Are the topics too distant? Is the format not bringing up attention to the main issues? Is the information in conflict with other interests and values? 


    These are the questions we raise, and address using surveys and participatory research. 



  • Test solutions

    What can be done to share knowledge better? We work with designers, engineers, institutions, NGOs and of course local communities to shape new participatory strategies - ranging from physical exhibits and objects, online games, participatory forums. 


      

  • Grow engagement

    What works can be measured. We use science to evaluate our projects, and make sure to improve them with the continued participation of actors engaged in the process.