An EC-funded project partnered by Minerva has released its final report for public view,
outlining several key lessons learned about the value – and challenges! – of effective communication in science.
CommNet was created to facilitate and improve knowledge transfer between European researchers working in the bio-economy (food, fisheries, agribusiness, biotech and forests) and key stakeholders. CommNet ran from 2005 to 2014 and offered four key services to member projects; communications training, and support with communication to the general public, to industry and policy makers and to children and young people.
Minerva contributed to this project by developing the CommNet network (which closed with more than 700 registered members) and design & delivery of a comprehensive communications training programme.
Here’s what we did:
- Eight 2.5 day face-to-face training courses across Europe attended by 140 delegates from 18 countries.
- 14 webinars on a range of communications topics accessed 784 times by scientists from 12 different countries.
- A masterclass in Citizen Engagement and three drop-in sessions delivered at the 2015 European Science Open Forum in Copenhagen.
Here’s what we learned:
- Scientists need more encouragement to make communications a priority. They are creative and innovative; they need to be encouraged to apply these talents to communications activities as well their research.
- Scientists need on-going support to further their understanding of the difference between communications and dissemination.
- All scientists within a project need to take greater responsibility for communicating about their research to a wide range of stakeholders and not delegate the activity solely to one Work Package or a professional service.
- All research partners need opportunities throughout the life of their project to practise talking about the project overall, not just their specialist part in it, so they can become ‘ambassadors’ for their project overall and the societal challenge it is helping to address.
- Scientists need to be introduced to journalists and the world of the media so that barriers and misunderstandings between these two ‘worlds’ can be reduced and trust established, so that more scientists are confident and competent enough to speak up and out, particularly on controversial issues.
To read the full report, with Executive Summary written by Rhonda, click here: CommNet FINAL PUBLICATION.