Dena Seidel - Science Filmmaker & Food Systems Researcher - Rutgers Center for Digital Filmmaking
[PODCAST] Diverse Routes: Career Journeys in Science & Medicine (Episode 47)
Listen to Part 1 (Apple - Spotify)
Watch Part 1 (YouTube)
Watch Full episode (Patreon)
Dena Seidel is an interdisciplinary social scientist and Emmy Award winning science filmmaker who combines Anthropology, science storytelling and ethnographic documentary filmmaking as part of science communication, STEM learning and food systems research. Seidel is the director/producer of several original long form documentaries featuring Rutgers scientists on journeys of discovery. She is the Founding Director of the Rutgers Center for Digital Filmmaking during which time she designed Rutgers BFA in Digital Filmmaking and she also served as the Director of Digital Storytelling in the Rutgers English Department. Seidel has a Masters Degree in Anthropology with years of experience learning from Pacific indigenous cultures. Seidel has spent years working in Micronesian island nations with cultural leaders supporting community led sustainable development projects. She has developed innovative International and university programs combining anthropology, filmmaking/storytelling and sustainable development including traditionally based food systems and interdisciplinary education. Seidel designed the impactful Science-in-Action Storytelling™ model and oversees Rutgers Immersive Learning through Science Storytelling Research Lab found that was recognized by a 2025 New Jersey State Senate Resolution for increasing public trust in science.
Episode Highlights:
The surprising reason scientists should let filmmakers into their labs
What it's really like filming science in Antarctica and at deep-sea volcanoes
The hidden challenge of running a grant-funded research lab
Resources
Connect with Dena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-seidel-4859b645/
Recommended Resources From Dena:
Become a patron @ patreon.com/diverseroutes for access to the extended video interview
