Communicators and journalists have had to reconsider their roles following the recent crises faced by traditional mass media and the rise of new media. This has created both challenges and opportunities for journalism, including science communication.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has therefore awarded DKK 1 million to the Danish Science Journalists Association towards the cost of holding the European Conference of Science Journalists 2017 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Conference aims to strengthen science communication in the media in Denmark and the rest of Europe. This will be achieved by creating new forms of collaboration across professions, media and national borders, enabling science journalism to increasingly take advantage of the many opportunities presented by the new media landscape, including communication opportunities using social media.
Jens Degett, Chair of the Danish Science Journalists Association, comments: “Science journalists and science communicators need to find their roles in the new mediascape, given its changing conditions and greater focus on social media. Changes in the media world also bring opportunities. Sharing knowledge has become easier, both locally and globally, and contacts and sources can be activated using simple tools. This can potentially contribute to a more nuanced and broader understanding of research and science.”
The Conference will be a platform for dialogue about and the production of science communication. Europe’s leading media and science journalists from all over the world will attend the Conference, which will also involve many stakeholders from Denmark and other countries, including universities. The Conference will also involve children and young people through activities such as a national competition on science communication for all upper-secondary schools in Denmark in collaboration with Astra, the national Centre for Learning in Science, Technology and Health in Denmark.
Dagnia Looms, Head of Strategic Awards, Novo Nordisk Foundation, says: “Science communication makes us wiser and creates new ideas. Research must also enjoy the trust and support of the general public. Good communication also generally helps to increase society’s interest in science, including among children and young people, thereby stimulating them in the long term to choose a career within science.”
The Conference, which expects to attract between 800 and 1000 participants, will take place 26–30 June 2017 in the DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) Koncerthuset and at the IT University of Copenhagen.
ABOUT THE DANISH SCIENCE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
The Danish Science Journalists Association was founded in 1976 and has strived to promote science communication and journalism and to share and exchange experience between science journalists in Denmark and other countries.
The Danish Science Journalists Association collaborates with researchers, government ministries, institutions, companies and organizations to promote and continually improve science communication. Read more about the Danish Science Journalists Association at www.videnskabsformidling.dk/about-dv.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Jens Degett, Chair, Danish Science Journalists Association, +45 2784 6500
Christian Mostrup Scheel, Press Officer, Novo Nordisk Foundation, [email protected], +45 3067 4805
