Our Story

Before we became MOSAIC Productions, our team collaborated on a series of social media campaigns and short documentaries for Leiden University’s archaeological research projects.

These videos contained more than just summaries of findings. They were designed to show how knowledge of the past is acquired, from the variety of methods used to the sheer amount of time, effort, and collaboration involved in archaeological research. Our target audience wasn’t academics, but curious adults outside of the university world—people interested not only in archaeology but in how research actually happens: the challenges, the complexities, the funding, and the people behind it.

While the content reached this audience and even extended beyond it, we noticed that engagement, especially in terms of comments, wasn’t as strong as we had hoped. What became clear is that single moments of content aren’t enough. To truly connect with people, content needs to be consistent, conversational, and framed in ways that invite curiosity. When we shifted toward content that asked questions and highlighted the process more than just the outcomes, the conversations began to grow.

We also found it helped to throw in funny content, making light of the struggles researchers faced. This wasn’t just relatable to other archaeologists but to those in every academic discipline. We made connections with others through relatability to researchers and curiosity from those outside of academia.

The Importance of Sharing the Process

This experience highlighted a broader challenge in science communication.

Much of what gets shared, whether through academic press releases or media coverage, is focused on results. But research isn’t just a series of discoveries; it’s a process filled with uncertainty, trial and error, and passion. In today’s fast-paced media environment, where people are constantly inundated with new information, that process is exactly what makes science feel real and relevant.

We believe that communicating research as a process, rather than just as polished findings, helps build trust, spark interest, and make science more relatable. It reminds people that researchers are not distant experts but fellow citizens working to understand the world better and contribute to society. When we show the work, not just the result, we open the door to inspiration, for students, for curious minds, and for entire communities that might one day collaborate on the research itself.

This is especially important in fields focused on heritage, where researchers increasingly recognize the need to collaborate with local communities and with people whose history is being studied. By building communication channels that invite participation and transparency from the start, researchers can create relationships that benefit everyone. Public engagement isn’t just an add-on; it’s a core part of how knowledge is made and shared today.

At MOSAIC, we’ve seen how effective visual storytelling can be when it’s rooted in honesty, process, and connection. As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: not just to tell people what we’ve learned, but to show them how we learn it and why it matters.

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