Seidel is a trained anthropologist with 25 years of expertise in science storytelling and outreach combining filmmaking, anthropology, United Nations sustainable development goals and original, interdisciplinary learning pedagogy. Seidel’s impactful science communication model begins with trusting relationships between the stories’ featured scientists, community leaders, and change-makers to create compelling science-in-action narratives that share the real-life steps to successful food production with broad, public audiences. Seidel is an award-winning science filmmaker and the creator/designer of Rutgers’ first film production programs. Seidel was the first university professor to produce research-based feature-length science films for national broadcast with ungraduated participation. Seidel has established creative and trusting science communication partnerships with researchers across many university disciplines including Plant Biology, Marine Sciences, Nutrition, Ecology and Natural Resources and has led professional documentary film productions in Antarctica, Italy, Spain and several Pacific Island nations. Through personalized training and mentorship, Seidel provided professional opportunities for her science communication students to direct films in Brazil, Rome, Spain, Zambia, Thailand and the Virgin Islands creating compelling real-world stories that were broadcast on television and funding agency websites. Seidel’s professional experience includes producing and editing science films for National Geographic, Discovery Channel and Public Television stations.
MUSEUM and CONFERENCE EXHIBITS and PRESENTATIONS
2018 Panelist COP24 Pacific Ocean Commissioner’s High Level Side Event “Understanding the Ocean and Climate Crosswalk- A Pacific Perspective” with Ambassador Thomson, UN Special Envoy on Oceans
2017 Organized and designed United Nations Visitors Lobby Multimedia Exhibit “Ocean Peoples, Indigenous Knowledge and Pacific Ocean Stewardship” in partnership w/President UN General Assembly P. Thomson United Nations Oceans Week
2017 Organizer/designer United Nations COP23 Sustainable Sea Transportation Side Event “Sailing the Past Into the Future” with President Remengesau (Palau) President Heine (Marshall Islands)
2016 International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii Designed and prepared Okeanos Exhibit and Public Presentation for Okeanos
2015 Liberty Science Center, The Making of Antarctic Edge: 70 Degrees South
PUBLICATIONS (articles and science films)
2021 J.E. Simon, D. Acquaye, R. Govindasamy, J. Asante-Dartey,R. Juliani, B. Diouf, M. Diatta, Langenhoven, E. Van Wyk, N. Hitimana, D.K. Seidel, E. Merchant, L. Amakuze, S. Weller, D. Hoffman, Qing-Li Wu Building Community Resilience through Horticulture Innovation in Scientia 134:13-21
2015 Seidel, Director/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor “Antarctic Edge: 70° South” feature documentary Online Streaming Netflix, Amazon, iTunes
2014 Seidel, Producer/Director feature documentary “Generation at Risk: Joining Forces to Fight Childhood Obesity” featuring Cory Booker
2011 S. Glenn, Schofield, J. Kohut, J. McDonnell, R. Ludescher, D.K. Seidel, D. Aragon, T. Haskins The Trans-Atlantic Slocum Glider Expeditions: A Catalyst for Undergraduate Participation in Ocean Science and Technology volume 45, number 1
2010 Producer/Director/Editor featured documentary “Atlantic Crossing: A Robot’s Daring Mission” Rutgers Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, broadcast nationally on PBS stations
2008 D.K. Seidel, Behind the Scenes with Paris is Burning Director Films for the Feminist Classroom Issue 1.1
2005 Film Editor Tsunami Killer Waves, National Geographic Television (1 hour special)
2003 Co-Producer/Editor/Writer Forbidden Depths, Discovery Channel director Al Giddings (2 hours)
2002 Film Editor Skyscraper at Sea Discovery Channel (1 hour special)
2001 Co-Producer/Senior Editor New York Times, Science Times TV Series (6 one hour episodes)
1999 Film Editor National Geographic Explorer Series
1998 Film Editor The New Matadors, National Geographic 30-minute documentary