Forged by Fire –
An immersive CUSO course

This documentary was conceived, filmed, and edited by PhD students from the University Conference of Western Switzerland (CUSO), with guidance from SciencEscape throughout the creative process. The objective was to train young researchers in science communication by providing them with the tools to turn their research into an accessible, engaging, and meaningful narrative.

 

The project was structured around three main stages. It began at the University of Geneva with a theoretical session dedicated to the foundations of scientific storytelling. The PhD students then took part in an intensive week at the foot of Mount Etna, in Sicily. On location, they explored the challenges associated with this active volcano—ranging from natural hazards and population adaptation to tourism and economic opportunities—while learning the fundamentals of documentary filmmaking: framing, interviews, sound recording, and capturing atmosphere. Back in Geneva, the final stage of the project focused on editing, where participants learned how to assemble images and sound, refine their narrative, and give their film a coherent structure.

 

Far more than a practical training exercise, this experience offered a true behind-the-scenes immersion into scientific