Surveys on trust and literacy tell only part of the story. A Nature comment argues that understanding science means looking at institutions, norms and expectations—not just facts.
An article in the South African Journal of Science questions a core assumption of climate journalism: that more evidence leads to more action. Power, inequality and communication gaps shape how knowledge is used—suggesting that engagement, not information alone, drives change.
Soumaiya Imarraine is a neuroscientist—she completed her PhD at Sorbonne University in Paris—with a background in research, science communication, and societal engagement. She is also co-founder of the outreach initiative Cerveau en Fête (with fellow neuroscientist Nicole Ortiz) and a contributor to international scientific and community initiatives, including a project promoting equity and transparency in […]
Science News Agencies increasingly reach the public directly. A new study proposes an index to assess whether their press releases are transparent, accessible, and socially relevant—highlighting how improving these texts can strengthen public engagement with science.
Social media are becoming increasingly central to the survival and relevance of magazines and news outlets. They are no longer just channels for promoting published stories, but key spaces where editorial identities are negotiated, audiences are built, and engagement is measured in real time. For science journalism in particular, platforms such as Instagram and Facebook […]
Science isn’t as neutral as it claims to be. Sara Giordano argues that research is shaped by cultural values and power, and that acknowledging this can strengthen trust and communication. She calls for a more democratic science—grounded in evidence, but responsive to the communities it affects.
A new report examines future trends and challenges in science, highlighting fragile research ecosystems, geopolitics, AI risks to democracy, and the growing role of science communication.
PISA 2022 shows declining STEM and literacy skills in Europe, especially among disadvantaged students. Science in School helps address this by offering free, engaging resources that connect science to real life and support teachers in boosting student curiosity.
A global survey reveals how 72,000 people in 68 countries encounter and discuss science — and why understanding these differences matters for engagement and democracy.
Miha Kos, a physicist, is the director of Slovenia’s first hands-on science centre, Hiša eksperimentov (founded 1996 in Ljubljana). He’s been there since its start and says his dreams came true.
A JCOM study highlights the key role of “enablers” in involving school students in science. Through programs like Darwin Day and Plastic Pirates, enablers bridge research and education by aligning goals, translating visions, applying theory, and evaluating engagement outcomes
Amid declining trust and metric-driven evaluation, the “Public Method” by NPO and Sjoege redefines journalism’s value, focusing on its social impact, civic role, and contribution to informed citizenship.
Lyubov Kostova reflects on two decades in science communication, sharing insights on European Researchers’ Night, collaboration, training scientists, and the vital role of marketing and storytelling in engaging diverse audiences.
The deficit model (yes, that one again!) is ineffective for communicating science. What's needed are participatory and dialogical approaches. A study in PNAS.
Science journalism faces pressure from weak business models, crisis-driven coverage, and a lack of training. Sustained, contextual reporting is needed—especially in the Global South—requiring public investment to support its vital democratic and watchdog role.
Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan is an award-winning science journalist, science communication consultant, and trainer. Recently, he founded SciComm-AI, an initiative dedicated to providing training and consultancy for researchers, science journalists, and science communicators interested in effectively integrating generative AI into their work—most importantly, in a responsible way
Interview with Ulla Sätereie, a lecturer in journalism at the University of Gothenburg, where she is also program coordinator of the International Master’s Programme in Investigative Journalism (MIJ) which has a profile towards cross-border journalism and data journalism.
Fabio Turone is a science journalist and researcher at the Center for Ethics in Science and Journalism, who in 2023 won a 1.5 million grant from the European Research Council with the FRONTIERS consortium. The project has established and is managing a program of residencies for science journalists in research institutions across Europe, promoting excellence […]
Science is a human, social practice shaped by cultural, material, and theoretical contexts. Sabina Leonelli highlights its complexity, challenging the myth of neutrality in scientific inquiry
What is the relationship between journalism and academia? Federica Cherubini and Mattia Peretti, two prominent figures at the intersection of both fields, ask themselves in a recent commentary. Cherubini and Peretti explore the relationship between journalism and academia, using the metaphor of two riverbanks connected by bridges. While many bridges already exist to foster […]
Andy Ridgway is a researcher within the Science Communication unit at the University of the West of England in Bristol and a science journalist with 20 years of experience. He writes for the BBC Science Focus magazine and contributes to the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO). Ridgway is also involved with the communication activities of […]
Shifting from top-down communication to participatory models and building relationships with audiences lead to more effective science outreach despite challenges like time management and institutional recognition.
Contrasting the spread of scientific misinformation proved to be complicated. A recently published report focussing on the American situation identified some possible paths towards solutions
History never repeats itself identically, but it can be an excellent starting point for understanding where we need to improve. Also for science communication
A comprehensive study covering 68 countries, published in Nature Human Behaviour, challenges the notion that scientists' trust has eroded following the COVID-19 pandemic. During and immediately after the pandemic, the question arose of how much this event could have eroded citizens' trust in science. The question arose because of the strong opposition that some […]
Scientific journalism often suffers from a Eurocentric bias, limiting the diversity of expert voices and perspectives. By actively seeking out researchers from different geographical and cultural backgrounds, journalists can create more comprehensive and accurate scientific reporting. A sad feature of much scientific journalism is its Eurocentric and U.S.-centric focus. Journalists often default to discussing […]
Effective science communication goes beyond facts, engaging emotions to connect with audiences. Research shows curiosity and awe are key in fostering interest and understanding.
The EBU's News Report 2024 explores AI's impact on journalism, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency while raising ethical concerns. Emphasizing the "human in the loop" principle, the report advocates for transparency and responsible AI use, ensuring that journalism's core values of accuracy and accountability are upheld.
Excessive focus on negative news – which indeed abounds – has proved ineffective in spreading awareness and, above all, moving people to action. To contribute to the required societal and cultural change, journalism should talk about available solutions and share a narrative of what we want to achieve rather than focusing on the gloomy future that stems from inaction
A study from the University of São Paulo reveals a troubling rise in polarised scientific messages online, highlighting a significant knowledge gap in understanding this phenomenon. Researchers found that these communications often present a single viewpoint and use assertive language, underscoring the urgent need for further research to improve science communication and address the divisive effects of polarisation.
Generative AI tools have suddenly entered newsrooms, with many journalists already using them to streamline aspects of their work. This raises pressing questions about how to regulate the use of AI responsibly, ensuring transparency without undermining journalism’s credibility
A recent study reveals that individuals find it significantly harder to accurately infer the thoughts and feelings of people outside their social groups, relying instead on first impressions and stereotypes. This cognitive hurdle underscores the need for deeper engagement in conversations, especially in science communication, where overcoming societal divides is essential. When conversing with […]
The ENJOI project highlighted the need for effective scientific communication and public engagement, fostering dialogue between experts and non-experts. Sociologist and science policy expert Alondra Nelson emphasizes journalists' role in enhancing public understanding of science policy, aligning with NEWSERA's focus on integrating citizen science. Together, these initiatives aim to bridge the gap between science and society.
A new report by ALDA Europe delves into the current state of digital literacy in Europe and shows how to effectively tackle the ongoing “disinformation epidemic.” We must consider that, through social and emotional factors, we all contribute to disinformation by being inattentive users in the digital environment. The key is empowering people with tools to prevent misinformation.
It is not certain that all the people involved in a project agree on the meaning of the words we will have to use. At first, it can be helpful to take some time to clarify. Experiences from an experimental program
On February 13, the European Union ratified the AI Act, establishing the world's first legal framework for regulating artificial intelligence. Although pending a final vote in the European Parliament, the text is nearly finalized and has already generated various reactions. The regulation's official enactment is expected two years after its official publication.
The ENJOI podcast is out! Listen to "Engaged Science Journalism", a journey through the experiences of some European media who found innovative ways to survive, or even grow, in a post-pandemic world.
Recent research highlights the widespread adoption of AI tools in newsrooms for various tasks, driven by a need for efficiency amid financial pressures. While AI offers benefits, it also introduces risks of misinformation, emphasizing the importance of careful integration and broader industry engagement.
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, concerns over misinformation abound, fueled by "data voids" and reinforced by online searches. Experts emphasize the need for tailored approaches and recognize trust in information as a multifaceted, ongoing process.
We already know that artificial intelligence is already present in many newsrooms around the globe. And we know AI-based tools are used to help generate news content in various ways, but often without an explicit declaration of such behaviour. What if we labelled the AI-generated content as such? Are we going to foster a trusting […]
At the end of September, scholars, practitioners, science writers, and science communicators from around the world met in Venice for the PCST Venice Symposium 2023, a gathering hosted on San Servolo island by the Venice International University. ENJOI project participated in the event and contributed to the discussion, presenting some of its major results. We […]
A new report from the LSE’s JournalismAI initiative underlines the lack of news organisations strategy on AI and highlights some concerns on the future of the industry We already discussed how much and for what kind of purposes AI is used in newsrooms around the world, thanks to a recent report on the topic. A […]
Journalism can make climate change concrete and promote action to fight it Climate change is increasingly in the headlines. Its (negative) influence on our lives is now tangible. Still, for some reasons – mainly related to how our brain perceives dangers and risks – our attitude remains largely passive, and awareness of the seriousness and […]
In a certain way, newsletters have anticipated what journalism would have become. It was already in existence during the Middle Ages, when travelling merchants moved not just goods but also news. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica: "Traders' newsletters contained commercial information on the availability and prices of various goods and services, but they also could […]
Insights from the report "Gauging Generative AI’s Impact on Newsroom", collecting inputs from 101 newsroom editors, journalists, and other newsroom staff worldwide.
Insights from the European project NEWSERA, aimed to incorporate participatory science into science communication. Blueprint for #CitSciComm now available.
Data is fundamental for framing and understanding the problem, discussing the measures to be taken, and presenting solutions that have been successfully implemented in particular contexts Pollution and environmental disruption are heavy themes, difficult to contextualize and describe. Often, when we read or hear stories about pollution – from the lack of prevention to the […]
Reversing the trend of press-release journalism, or “churnalism”, is necessary to do quality work, but it requires new models of financial sustainability and support from the readers. And it is an interesting approach especially for reporting on science topics
At the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Elisabetta Tola and Massimo Polidoro discuss the importance of talking about science, the difficulties that journalists and science communicators face in accurately conveying scientific information, and what still separates the scientific world from other aspects of social and political life, especially in Italy. right way to make science known, […]
Reporting on AI can be tricky. Journalists do not always possess enough knowledge in the field to avoid exaggerated claims (both positive and negative) and companies tend to hype their products in order to maximize their media exposure. But nonetheless, reporting on AI is crucial in a moment of great expansion of the sector and […]
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