Toolbox
This section of the Observatory collects innovative, practical tools for outstanding science communication and journalism. Here you can find the prototypes and pilot tools we are developing within the ENJOI project during the engagement workshops and labs organized in Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Each tool is addressed to a specific target audience: science journalists and communicators, researchers, policymakers, teachers and students, civil society organizations. We will also share the process behind the tools’ prototyping in case you wish to develop similar experiences in your community.
And then, we will look around to collect innovative free tools that might help improve the quality of science communication and journalism.
Any suggestions for tools to enrich our ENJOI Observatory’s toolbox? Get in touch!
Empowering School Engagement: The Hidden Role of “Enablers” in Science Communication
by Enjoi Team
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
October 17, 2025
How to Read a Scientific Paper: A Guide for Science Journalists and Communicators
by Observatory Team
Learning how to read scientific papers effectively is a crucial skill for science journalists or communicators. This short guide offers 10 expert tips to help analyse research and spot red flags
July 15, 2025
How to Approach Preprints for Quality Science Reporting?
by Sofia Belardinelli
How to report on preprints: verify credibility, highlight limitations, consult experts, and prioritise accurate, transparent science reporting over breaking news speed
July 1, 2025
New Guide Helps Journalists Communicate Science During Crisis
by Observatory Team
A new open-access guide, “How to communicate science in times of crisis?”, helps journalists—especially non-science specialists—report accurately during emergencies. Published by the EU-funded COALESCE project, it offers tips on handling uncertainty, avoiding misinformation, and building public trust.
June 11, 2025
What are preprints? A Short Guide to Early Scientific Publishing
by Sofia Belardinelli
They are research papers shared before peer review, enabling rapid and open dissemination of findings. While valuable for transparency and early feedback, they also carry risks if misinterpreted. Understanding their role is key to responsible science communication.
June 3, 2025
How to Recognise and Avoid Predatory Academic Publishing
by Sofia Belardinelli
Predatory publishing threatens research integrity. A global report urges nuanced definitions, awareness, training, and systemic reforms to combat unethical academic practices
May 20, 2025
Reporting on Extreme Weather: A Constructive Guidelines
by Marco Boscolo
Reporting on extreme weather should go beyond headlines, showing how climate change, local factors, and social vulnerability interact. Attribution science links climate change to more frequent and intense heatwaves and other extremes. Journalists must avoid oversimplification, rely on evidence, and highlight that disasters depend on both climate and community resilience. When talking about extreme weather, […]
May 14, 2025
Anticipating unprecedented weather: We have the tools to do it
by Sofia Belardinelli
Unprecedented weather events are rising due to climate change, but scientists can better anticipate them using four complementary methods. A recent study urges combining these approaches to inform proactive adaptation, with a focus on transformative strategies to build resilience and address root causes.
May 6, 2025
Science journalist: "cheerleader or watchdog"? A conversation with Fabio Turone
by Sara Urbani
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 […]
April 22, 2025
Peer Review: A Short Guide for Science Journalists to Evaluate Research Credibility
by Sofia Belardinelli
Peer review ensures research quality by expert evaluation of methodology, data, and findings. It filters flawed studies, refines strong ones, and aids science journalists in assessing credibility.
April 1, 2025
Source-tracking in newsrooms as a tool towards more diversity
by Marco Boscolo
Source tracking in newsrooms promotes diversity by auditing coverage and systematically assessing sources. How digital tools like Google Forms to collect demographic data could be used to amplify underrepresented voices and reflect community diversity.
March 11, 2025
Tools for highly engaged, quality journalism
by Sofia Belardinelli
Knight Lab's digital tools effectively support traditional storytelling by integrating multimedia elements, creating a more engaging experience for readers and elevating the quality of journalism. But they can also be used in communication projects. Engaging readers in the stories we tell has become increasingly essential in journalism. We want our readers to be not only […]
September 23, 2024
Using artificial intelligence in journalism
by Enjoi Team
Courses, materials, and readings - almost all free of charge - to learn how to use machine learning and artificial intelligence in journalistic practice. Dedicated to editors, journalists, press officers, and, in general, those involved in disseminating and verifying information and data.
September 25, 2023
Starting with Data Journalism: Tools and Courses Available for Journalists
by Enjoi Team
Reading, commenting, and extracting information from data: doing this correctly unequivocally determines whether you are writing a credible article or disseminating fake news.
August 14, 2023
ENJOI Labs
by Enjoi Team
Participatory events in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium to improve the quality of science communication and journalism
October 14, 2022
ENJOI 4th Engagement Workshop, Portugal
by Esther Marín
The fourth and last ENJOI Engagement Workshop was held in Lisbon, Portugal, in May 2022. Co-creating the standards, principles and indicators in science communication and journalism
September 2, 2022
ENJOI 3rd Engagement Workshop, Spain
by Karinna Matozinhos
The third ENJOI Engagement Workshop was held in Barcelona, Spain, in April 2022. Co-creating the standards, principles and indicators in science communication and journalism
August 25, 2022
ENJOI 1st Engagement Workshop, Italy
by Giulia Bonelli
The first ENJOI Engagement Workshop was held in Bologna, Italy, in March 2022. Co-creating the standards, principles and indicators in science communication and journalism
June 16, 2022
FC.ID presents ENJOI in Lisboa and Oviedo
by Enjoi Team
ENJOI at the 7th Annual Meeting of the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Lisboa, Portugal, and the International Congress on Science and Technology Cultures, Oviedo, Spain.
November 30, 2021
