Scientists in direct contact with the public in science centres and museums

The session will explore ways in which scientists can engage with the public in an open dialogue about contemporary or controversial science issues, helping people place global scientific issues into a meaningful context. Direct contact with scientists is an effective way of providing the public with first-hand information not only on the results of cutting-edge research (relevant on a global scale) but also on the people that carry out that research and on the process that allows researchers to come to their conclusions. From the point of view of scientists, engaging in dialogue with the public offers scientists valuable feedback on their work in terms of impact on society.

However, being a good scientist does not necessarily mean possessing the skills to communicate effectively and engage the public in interactive communication. Therefore, science centres and museums and other science communication professionals constantly devise new ways to support scientists in connecting with their audiences and targeting communication effectively. Speakers will relate a variety of methods that leading science communication oganisations in Europe implement to foster direct communication between scientists and professional communicators. Training programmes in communication for researchers, as well as several formats used to involve scientists in a dialogue with the public will be explored by the panel and discussed with the audience.