Connecting science, education, society and policy so that everyone can help shape science and the future.

The Kano Lab conducts research and practice to make science communication and STEAM education more inclusive, culturally relevant and responsive to social change.

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Official lab overview

The Kano Lab is the Science Communication Laboratory at the Faculty of Education, Shiga University, Japan. Led by Professor Kei Kano, it works across three research areas: inclusive science communication and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Liberal Arts, and Mathematics) education; traditional and Indigenous knowledge for a sustainable society; and responsible AI in education.

For us, a journal article is not the endpoint of research. We also open our work to society through resources for schools and families, workshops in which children and adults investigate together, games that generate dialogue, educational television, books, public participation processes and contributions to policy and international debate.

Three research areas

1｜Inclusive Science Communication and STEAM Education

We do not design science engagement only for people who are already highly interested in science and technology. Gender, disability, language, culture, family circumstances and previous experiences of participation are central to our research and educational design. Our themes include people with low interest in science and technology, women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families, and culturally relevant STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Liberal Arts, and Mathematics) education.

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2｜Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge for a Sustainable Society

We revisit Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), including materials, skills, food cultures, and relationships with nature sustained in local communities—not as relics of the past, but as knowledge for creating sustainable futures. We study education, cultural safeguarding, green innovation and equitable collaboration with communities.

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3｜Responsible AI in Education

Before introducing generative AI or educational technology, we ask whose learning it should support and according to which values. We examine teacher and learner agency, educational data, privacy, equity, accountability, ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues) and RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) to develop more human-centred and inclusive approaches.

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Opening research to society

Selected and past projects

Explore work on NHK educational television, public participation in science and technology policy, pluripotent stem-cell education, and audience research in science cafés and art-science events. These projects provide the foundations for our current research.

Explore selected past projects

STEAM Workshops for children, families and the public

Observe, compare, test, make and discuss. We run hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Liberal Arts, and Mathematics) workshops several times a year, helping participants find scientific questions in familiar materials, culture, games and media.

See current workshops

Educational games and books

“Discover Try Stem Cell Research!,” “TATEWARI,” “The Comparing Game” and books developed from our research. These resources support purchasing and reading, classroom or professional use, and new research on game-based learning.

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UNESCO Chair｜STEAM Education for Braiding Traditional Cultural Resources with Science

The UNESCO Chair at Shiga University connects education, culture, and science, technology and innovation. Working with knowledge holders and international partners, it develops learning that safeguards culture while supporting sustainable and responsible futures.

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Join us from around the world

We welcome new questions and expertise through PhD study, JSPS fellowships, visiting research and collaboration. Proposals may come from science communication, education, sustainability, traditional knowledge, AI, design, policy, media and related fields.

Find out how to join

Principal Investigator｜Kei Kano

Kei Kano is a science communication researcher working at the intersection of science, education, society and policy. Drawing on experience as a life scientist, part-time high-school teacher, preparatory-school instructor and university professor, Kano collaborates with researchers, educators, broadcasters, policymakers and community organisations.

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Latest updates

We publish longer reflections and activity reports on note, photographs and short videos on Instagram, and workshop and educational-resource videos on YouTube.

Closing invitation

Whether you are interested in our research, looking for a workshop, planning to use our resources, or considering study or collaboration, begin with the pathway most relevant to you.

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