Science engagement organisations
Science engagementPublic engagement describes the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public [...] organisations are committed to inspiring people with science and technology and enabling dialogue between science and society. TechEthos brings on board six such organisations which will be responsible for an innovative programme of activities open to the public (including vulnerable groupsThose in our societies who face a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion [...]), including science cafés, dialogue events and exhibitions.
SCN – ScienceCenter-Network, Austria
ScienceCenter-Netzwerk (SCN) is a non-profit association based in Vienna. The association was founded in 2005 with the aim to use interactive, playful, informal science learning to tackle societal challenges. SCN coordinates an Austrian-wide network of more than 180 different partners interested in science engagement, performs lobbying and public relations, acts as an information hub and provides training opportunities. With a small team of 10 permanent staff members, it also initiates and manages innovative projects, using science center activities to excite and empower people from various backgrounds.
Contact
Irene Besenbaeck
Project Manager
iQLANDIA, Czech Republic
iQLANDIA is a science popularization centre situated in Liberec, Czech Republic. It is the first of its kind in the Czech Republic and draws from the concepts and experience of many such “science centers” around the world. Its basic premise is to utilise games, interactive exhibits and entertaining educational materials in order to make learning a fun experience for visitors of all ages, with over 400 interactive exhibits to choose from across 10,000 m2 of exhibition space. iQLANDIA also operates a planetarium and the recently opened iQFABLAB which brings new technologies to different publics and emerging start-ups, in collaboration with local and regional authorities and research organisations.
Contact
Ondřej Votruba
Project Manager
BSF – Bucharest Science Festival, Romania
Asociația Secular-Umanistă din România (ASUR) is a Romanian non-governmental organisation focused on designing and delivering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes for adults and children. With strong ties to the research community, civil society and the media and a track record that spans more than a decade, they are a major player within the Romanian science outreach community. ASUR is the organiser of Bucharest Science Festival, the first science festival in Romania. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has constantly grown, becoming the biggest science outreach event in the country, with events in several major cities in addition to Bucharest.
Contact
Alexandru Toma Pătrașcu
Festival Director
CPN – Center for the Promotion of Science, Serbia
CPN is a public institution on a mission: to bridge the gap between science and society by bringing together researchers, educators, policy makers, civil society organizations, business, the industry and the general public. The Center aims to increase the level of scientific literacy among the general public, especially the younger population. Among the numerous exhibitions, lectures and panel discussions organised annually are the M3 – May Month of Mathematics’, ‘Days of the Future: Robotics’, and its ‘art+science’ series. In its regional and national activities, CPN promotes Responsible Research and InnovationThe term has come to refer to six 'policy keys' or priorities in the relationship between research and innovation and society [...] (RRI), such as through its work on gender equality in research and technology by motivating girls to study science and coding.
Contact
Ivan Umeljić
Head of Publishing and Media Production
Parque de las Ciencias, Spain
Parque de las Ciencias is an Andalusia’s science centre and museum. Located in the city of Granada, it opened in 1995 under the motto ‘A new kind of Museum’. Governed by a Consortium of national, regional, provincial and local institutions, the museum has an important stakeholderIn TechEthos, we invite different stakeholder to join our Advisory and Impact Board [...] network across different fields. Today, the museum occupies 70.000m2, including permanent and temporary exhibitions, a Planetarium, an Astronomical Observatory and Garden, a BioDome, educational facilities and a cultural gallery that includes several versatile and flexible spaces. Its programme and spaces attract more than 750,000 people annually.
Contact
Ana Crespo Blanc
Head of Research and Innovation Department
Lourdes López Pérez
Communication Technician
VA – Vetenskap & Allmänhet, Sweden
Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Vetenskap & Allmänhet, VA (Public & Science) is a non-profit association whose purpose is to promote dialogue and openness between researchers and the public. VA has around 100 member organisations representing the research community, public authorities, institutes and universities as well as companies and private associations. It thus acts as a knowledge hub for public engagement and science communication in Sweden, disseminating knowledge and experience, gained by itself and others. VA organises many events and activities aimed at stimulating dialogue between researchers and the wider society, and develops and tests new formats for public engagement and dialogue.
Contact
Helen Garrison
Project & Communications Manager
