Making science more accessible and exciting to the public through a variety of formats is the goal of the inaugural four-week training that kicked off at ITMO University last week.
The first segment was devoted to Science PR. Organizers selected 30 participants from across Russia for a deep dive into this subject. Elena Brandt, head of PR Department of Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, gave an opening lecture on science communication`s basic principle, while Dmitry Malkov, ITMO’s science communication and outreach officer, and Sergei Stafeev, dean of Department of Natural Sciences, welcomed the participants and shared their excitement about the project.
The first lecture brought together an audience with members of different ages and occupations, including entrepreneurs, PR experts, journalists, biologists, psychologists as well as ITMO University`s researchers and staff. Each attendant chose a topic for a project they will work on during the course and present at the final day of “SciComm Mission”. For example, participants interested in science PR are given a task to develop a PR strategy for a company or to write a press release.
Elena Brandt kicked off her lecture with research on the lack of science communicators in Russia. Commenting on this problem Ms. Brandt referred to the report made by Leonid Kolodkin, SPN Communications` deputy director, at “Communication Laboratory” meeting.
“When we say that there’s no communication in science – which seems to be a common view – that is hundred percent untrue. There’s no other professional society that exchanges information as much as scientists. It’s has become a norm that research is not finished until it’s shared and made public. There may be a cultural disconnect, but scientists better than anyone understand the importance of communication. This constant exchange in science leads to its rapid development,” said the expert.
According to Elena Brandt, a specialist in science communication has to clear up misunderstandings between researchers and journalists and to build bridges between them. They also work as a link between a giant mechanism of science and other stakeholders, such as industry, business and consumers.
Sergei Stafeev underlined that it was very important for science communicators to focus not only on grown-ups, but also on young people. The future of the Russian science the researcher sees in fifth and sixth graders who not only need to be told about science but also get excited about it and inspired to do serious research themselves one day.
“No matter how much we’d talk or write on the Internet, in books or journals – it’s only a small percentage of what is needed. A deeper understanding doesn’t come from us repeating something five thousand times. Quantity doesn’t always translate to quality: 500 likes not always and not for everyone is a measure of success. The point is that if we don’t have the correct and multifaceted understanding of science, we’re promoting pseudo-science or apps for gadgets that are no science at all. You have to have a basic understanding of what makes science different from art, technologies, to show different ways to explore the world – rationally and sensually. It’s hybrid education in every sense. It can be obtained by people with any type of background, from humanities to sciences to engineering,” noted the professor.
“SciComm Mission” takes place in St. Petersburg on November9 – December 6. It includes lectures, seminars and workshops by leading Russian and international specialists. The program is divided into four modules such as “PR and communication,” “Science journalism,” “Scientific figures” and “Science and public talks.”