Researcher, PhD
Tom J. Langbehn

I believe science should be shared and used. I am driven to make scientific evidence accessible, understandable, and memorable so other researchers can build on it, and for policymakers and the public to use in important decisions.

Visual thinking is an inherent part of how I do science

The three things I love to nerd out about most are biology, coding, and visualizations, and I am happiest when they come together. I have always been a visual thinker, and sketching helps me make sense of ideas. Visualization is not just a communication tool for me, it is how I think, analyze, and understand the world around me. And I am not alone. Seeing is believing and a picture is worth a thousand words are not just sayings. For a visual species like ours, images are the fastest and most effective way to grasp large amounts of complex data.

I create visual stories that make research easier to understand and share, from figures and posters to logos and short videos summarising key papers (see examples here or here). What started as a way for me to think and to improve my own papers and talks has grown into a collaborative practice, helping colleagues turn complex science into clear, engaging visuals.

Every year, I am invited to teach and run sessions on science communication and visual storytelling, reaching more than two hundred participants annually. These audiences range from students and PhD schools to early career networks such as SIIECS, large research collaborations like The Nansen Legacy and institute-wide events at places like the von Thünen Institute in Germany.

I have received multiple awards at major international conferences for talks and posters, selected from hundreds of participants for their scientific merit and effective visualizations. I have also been invited to give plenary and keynote talks, including the Early Career Keynote at the ICES Annual Science Conference in 2024.