‘‘I am a scientist’’

Here I am, sitting in a quaint apartment in a picturesque Sicilian town, immersed in a week-long pottery course. There's something about working with clay that centres and calms me. Pottery, or working with clay in general, uniquely combines all the elements—earth, fire, air, and water. It’s a humbling craft that invites endless experimentation. Clay keeps its secrets, revealing only fragments of its story, but only if you open yourself up to it.

Clay continually draws me back in. It challenges, confuses, and humbles me. Every moment with clay is an experiment, each thought a hypothesis. Pottery is both a science and an art: from glaze chemistry to clay memory, science infuses every aspect. Does playing with clay make you a scientist?

"I am a scientist"—a simple sentence, yet loaded with expectation. Why is that? At what point do we earn the right to call ourselves scientists? I have traditional scientific training (a PhD), but must everyone follow the same path? To me, science is fuelled by curiosity, our questioning of the world, our drive to understand. It’s also about appreciating the world and taking moments to pause. I believe we are all scientists.

I've often pondered how to reveal the scientific thinking inherent in everyone. The laughter I encounter when suggesting everyone is a scientist has always puzzled me. This spurred me to find ways to nurture innate curiosity and demonstrate my point. The fusion of creativity and curiosity beautifully engages people in science. I wanted to create a space where questions are encouraged, exploration is expected, and empowerment is essential. Thus, the Creativity & Curiosity workshops were born. These workshops are a work in progress, and will constantly evolve through trial and error. As they develop, I hope they make it easier for everyone to confidently say, "I am a scientist.” Moreover, as these workshops continue to grow, my hope is that they also inspire a broader cultural shift. I envision a world where everyone embraces their inner scientist, where curiosity and creativity lead to constant discovery and growth. Science should not be confined to laboratories or academic institutions; it belongs to all of us.

So here I am, in this beautiful town in Sicily, surrounded by the elements and the transformative power of clay. This week-long pottery course is more than just a creative retreat—it's a reminder of the interconnectedness of science and art, and the endless possibilities that arise when we open ourselves to both.

I invite you to join me on this journey, to explore, question, and create. Together, let's break down the barriers that separate us from our inner scientists and celebrate the curiosity that drives us all.

Written by: Nadia - Founder & Owner (Innately Science)