The two sides of science communication – invitation to a workshop on the future
Bild: Peter Pulkowski
On 26 and 27 May 2026, the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) and the WissKomm Academy of Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur Mainz will organize the “Building Bridges: Science Communication between Research and Practice" forum. The event is aimed at young researchers and practitioners of science communication. The organization team includes Jun.-Prof. Elena Link (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz), Dr. Aglaia Schieke (coordinator at WissKomm Academy) and Dr. Patrick Honecker (CCO of TU Darmstadt).
Transfer between research and practice is an integral part of science communication. In science communication, research and practice develop dynamically, but frequently work along side each other instead of together. Structural and cultural obstacles still exist between the two (cf. for example Fischer et al., 2024): Researchers focus strongly on scientific reputation and publication rationale, while practitioners are faced with time pressure, limited access to research results, unclear expectations and short-term performance. To bridge this gap, the parties involved need to meet at eye level and establish mutual understanding and new formats of knowledge transfer.
The workshop "Building Bridges: Science Communication between Research and Practice", organized by the WissKomm Academy and the Rhine-Main Universities, aims to establish such a place for young experts to meet and to address and reflect on the challenges of the transfer between research and pracitce. It is aimed in particular at scientists and practitioners in the early stages of their career and, during a get together on 26 May and a one-day workshop on 27 May, offers varied input and discussion formats.
Applications can be submitted until 31 January 20206 via: https://wisskomm.academy/events/brueckenbauen.html
The event is supported by the FAZIT-STIFTUNG Gemeinnützige Verlagsgesellschaft mbH.
