Photo by Rita Carmo, Livro Mulheres na Ciência (2019)

06/11/2023

What challenges are faced by universities in communicating the research they produce? Or how involved are universities in science communication and what trends are they following?

The new study by CIES-Iscte researcher Marta Entradas explores the role of science communication in university communication offices based on a comparative analysis that brought together institutions from four European countries (Germany, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom) and whose aim was to understand how these institutions are positioning themselves to improve national scientific culture through dialogue and public debate.

Despite the involvement of universities with society through the use of various communication channels, whether through events, traditional media or even new communication formats, the data reveals that science communication is still not a priority for many of these institutions' communication offices.

For the authors, this happens because science communication is associated with a "promotional" culture of the universities themselves with the aim of greater visibility rather than commitment and involvement with the public, particularly on issues related to funding or scientific careers.

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