S4S Café Bridging Science and Society: Sustainability & Ocean Science Communication

On the afternoon of 10 February, we will be hosting a Science for Sustainability (S4S) Café in Utrecht. This edition will focus on science communication, with particular attention to the communication of sustainability challenges and ocean science. During the café, we will explore science communication from different perspectives, including journalism, press communications, and the pathway from scientific research to media coverage. By bringing together voices from across this communication chain, we want to foster engaging conversations and new connections. 

The invited speakers:

Aike Vonk - How does ocean science become news?
Aike's (PhD Science Communication & Public Engagement) research traces how scientific findings move from researchers, through press offices, to journalists and into newspaper articles. Based on interviews with Dutch scientists, press officers, and journalists, I show how news values, organisational goals, and professional norms shape what becomes news and how it is framed. In this talk, we explore this communication chain and reflect on your role as a scientist in how your research is ultimately represented in the media.

Laura Bergshoef - Communication of ocean science from a journalistic perspective
Laura (journalist at newspaper NRC) has a background in climate and ocean science. She will answer some ocean science related questions from a journalistic perspective. How do journalist select scientific studies for the newspaper? What is the relationship between a journalist and scientist? Participants can prepare questions as well. 

Sigrid Dekker - Boosting research impact through science communication
Sigrid (press officer at Geosciences) explores how researchers can use science communication to broaden the reach and impact of their work. She discusses the dynamics between academics, journalists, and other audiences, and explains where to find communication support within the university.

Stephanie Helfferich - Centre for Science and Culture
Stephanie (project manager public engagement) works at the Centre for Science and Culture. The Centre for Science and Culture brings science, culture and society together with diverse projects and programmes. It contributes to broad-based education, manages academic heritage and promotes public engagement in research. Stephanie has a focus on impact measurement of public engagement activities, and the development and organisation of training for university staff who wish to develop their public engagement skills.