News, announcements

Science Communication Days 2017

National Museum of Contemporary History – Cekin Mansion, Celovška cesta 23, Ljubljana; Creative Centre Poligon, Tobačna 5, Ljubljana
27 – 29.11.2017

  

 

 

In the hope of supporting high-quality scientific reporting in the media, the Slovenian Research Agency is organising an event in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia, Science Communication Days. A three-day set of events dedicated to raising awareness and acquiring of skills in the field of science communication will take place for the first time on 27-29 November 2017.

Science Communication Days event is based on the Communication of Science (KomZn) project as part of which we have been holding events with eminent journalists and experts from the field of science communication since 2014. We began with workshops in 2014, when we hosted Dr. Ian Sample, science editor of the Guardian. In 2015 we invited Vivienne Parry, a science publicist, television host and editor of science programs on Radio 4 and the BBC. And in 2016 we hosted columnist George Johnson from the New York Times.

The main guest of Science Communication Days is Prof. Dr. Deborah Blum, director of the science journalism program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT) and winner of a Pulitzer Prize.

Prof. Dr. Deborah Blum

Prof. Dr. Deborah Blum is one of the most well-renowned American journalists in science reporting. She is a columnist and author of five books, a couple of the most prominent being The Poisoner’s Handbook(2010) and Love at Goon Park (2002). She is the former president of the National Association of Science Writers and a member of the governing board of the World Federation of Science Writers. She is currently a panel member of the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. She is also the founder and editor of Undark magazine. Prof. Dr. Blum is also the co-editor of the book Field Guide for Science Writers and has been director of the science journalism program at MIT since 2015. It is in this role that she is coming to Ljubljana.

Short résumé

 

Program:

Day 1 - Monday, 27.11.2017
From 17:00 to 19:00 at the National Museum of Contemporary History – Cekin Mansion, Celovška cesta 23, Ljubljana

High-level event – conversation with Prof. Dr. Deborah Blum, director of the Science Journalism program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by a reception by the hosts, the Slovenian Research Agency and the U.S. Embassy
Topic: The recognition of science and its role in society, the media and with decision-makers. 
Talk headed by: Ksenija Horvat, journalist and host of the television programme Intervju, RTV Slovenija. 
Guests: the leading and most prominent representatives of the Slovenian scientific research community; rectors and deans of universities, directors of public research institutes and other leading representatives of research organisations. Attendance at this event is possible only with an invitation. 
The event will be conducted in English.


Day 2 - Tuesday, 28.11.2017
from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Creative Centre Poligon, Tobačna 5, Ljubljana.

Workshop for editors and journalists with Prof. Dr. Deborah Blum, director of the Science Journalism program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Topic: scientific writing, media coverage of science, specific journalist skills and expertise. 
Guests: editors andjournalists who cover science, students of journalism (max 40 attendees). 
The workshop will be conducted in English and is free of charge.

from 15:00 to 17:00 at the Creative Centre Poligon, Tobačna 5, Ljubljana.

Workshop for researchers with Prof. Dr. Deborah Blum, director of the Science Journalism program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Topic: communication of science and research results. 
Guests: researchers and representatives from public relations departments at research organisations (max 70 attendees). 
The workshop will be conducted in English and is free of charge.


Day 3 - Wednesday, 29.11.2017
from 13:00 to 15:30 at the Creative Centre Poligon, Tobačna 5, Ljubljana.

Workshop with Igor E. Bergant, journalist and television host of the Odmevi program, RTV Slovenija
Topic: media skills for researchers. 
Guests: researchers and representatives from public relations departments at research organisations (max 70 attendees). 
The workshop will be conducted in Slovene and is free of charge.

 

Registration:

Please send your registration to tina.vuga@arrs.si by Friday, 24.11.2017 by 14:00.

We kindly ask that you indicate in your e-mail which event you are registering for and give your contact information (title, name and surname, research organisation, e-mail). Due to the limited number of places we will only accept applications while there are places available.

 

Science Communication Days 2017 by the Slovenian Research Agency are held in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia.