Why Scientists Struggle to Understand Humor

A recently published survey examining more than 500 presentations delivered at scientific conferences over two years set out to explore an unusual question: Are scientists funny? The premise itself carries a bit of irony, and while the study may not be the most practical use of research time, its findings were largely predictable. About two-thirds of attempts at humour resulted in either mild, polite laughter or complete silence. At the same time, only about 9% of jokes were successful enough to elicit broad laughter from the audience. Interestingly, the moments that triggered the strongest reactions were not intentional jokes at all, but technical mishaps such as malfunctioning slides or microphone failures — situations that tend to unite audiences through shared awkwardness.

Anyone who has attended a conference, regardless of the subject, understands that this is not a problem unique to scientists. Delivering humour effectively is difficult in any setting, especially when addressing an audience that has not yet been warmed up. Even long-running shows like Saturday Night Live refer to their opening segment as a “cold open,” acknowledging that the first laugh is often the hardest to earn because the audience has not yet settled into a receptive mood.

The survey also found that approximately 40% of presenters chose to avoid humour entirely. While this approach minimises the risk of an awkward moment, it can also make already lengthy sessions feel even more drawn out. More notably, research suggests that avoiding humour may make presentations less memorable.

As one physician-scientist explained to Nature, maintaining audience engagement at conferences can be challenging, despite the abundance of valuable and interesting material presented. In many cases, keeping attendees attentive is as much about sustaining their focus — and even their alertness — as it is about delivering the content itself.