The workgroup on science communication was initiated in June 2009. Its main purpose is to share experiences and best practices in communicating topics from the “hard” sciences and humanities with non-experts and a broader audience.

Scientists who want to communicate their work with people outside their specialist subject face particular challenges. Yet, if advised and coached appropriately they can engage in a true dialogue that enhances mutual understanding between academia and the general public. The primary channels for coming in contact with non-experts are the mass media, museums/science centres, activities in schools or during science festivals and, more recently, Web 2.0 (blogs, Twitter, Facebook etc.).

While the majority of scientists accept the importance of science communication in principle, many of them still lack the practical know-how, since it is one thing to give a lecture or write a professional article, but an entirely different endeavour to adapt to the rules of a non-specialist audience. The workgroup therefore offers Euroscience members the opportunity to develop their communication skills actively by organising workshops during ESOF meetings and offering a platform for the exchange of ideas and practices, thus furthering dialogue about science communication.

The members of our workgroup come from a variety of backgrounds, including scientific research, archaeology, management and entrepreneurship, and press relations. This diversity helps ensure that we explore not only communication issues specific to our disciplines, but also fundamental aspects of communication common to all technical fields.

We hope to address some of the problems faced by scientists who are excellent researchers but who find it difficult to communicate their work to others.

The workgroup organized workshops and tutorials during the 2010 ESOF meeting in Torino to help Euroscience members develop their communication skills actively. The group has also developed several Tip Sheets on how to successfully communicate scientific topics, including:

• How to use Twitter

• How to make language „visualizable“

• How to write a successful press release

• How to reach out to diverse audiences

These texts are available at the Euroscience stand during ESOF conferences (with the next one to be held in Dublin in 2012) and for download here>>

For those interested in the subject, consider following the group’s activities and discussions on their Facebook page “Euroscience Workgroup on Science Communication”.