Although we do not have
instruments to measure the degree of boredom or the properties of
time, one thing is for certain: the science cafe on the
relationship between science and journalism lasted two hours. Two
times more than the initial planned programme. The topics, the
discussions between participants and video dialogues with partners
from UK, Greece and Romania seem to have dilated time. In a
pleasant way and for all those who were or wished to be present at
this event. That's because we have received email requests from
young researchers and science communicators from abroad.
In 2009 science was celebrated worldwide. The Year of Darwin,
the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) and the year of the
British Council's project Beautiful Science are just three of the
big moments to be associated with science and science
communication.
We celebrated 200 years since the birth of the British
naturalist Charles Darwin and 150 years since the publication of
The Origin of Species, a book that changed the perception on life
and prompted discussion that until this day still can be considered
unconcluded; and most likely we will not reach any consensus in the
near future.
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first astronomical
observation through a telescope by Galileo Galilei. That is why we
are talking about the International Year of Astronomy 2009
(IYA2009) and perhaps "only someone who lived in a cave does not
know this", as Lars Christensen said, one of the most well-known
science communicators worldwide.
On the other hand, all activities under the aegis of the
International Year of Astronomy have been put in the spotlight for
the public, especially those people who have never seen the sky
through a telescope. A true mass audience has been recorded
worldwide, including the teams of professional and amateur
astronomers in Romania. We are speaking about the most extensive
communication of science of all time.
This is also why this science cafe was dedicated to the IYA2009
also. Moreover, our colleagues in the area of science
communication, particularly of astronomy, have mentioned the event
on the international website of the IYA2009 (click here for
details).
2009 was the Beautiful Science year. We are speaking about the
British Council project which took place in 10 countries from South
- Eastern Europe and the UK, a project of science communication to
the public like those dedicated to Darwin or astronomy.
"Beautiful Science has three components: theatre of science,
public debates and the FameLab science communicators' competition,
perhaps the most exciting part of the project" said Gabriel Ivan,
Education & Science Projects Manager at British Council. "What
happens now is just a continuation of the project Beautiful
Science" he further added. So he has reviewed past and present.
Also, we found out that Global Innovation Lab, a new global project
of the British Council, will soon come into action; the whole
global community of early career researchers and young innovators
from all sectors are being asked to take part in the project and
propose solutions to global challenges.
Returning to the event, I have to say that the meeting room was
very well equipped, technically speaking. Even the wall colour was
chosen so that the sound plays clearly and in conditions of high
quality. The screen can be used both as a writing board and for
projects. We intended to get connected with our colleagues in
Manchester, Athens and Cluj-Napoca and that was what happened
during the science cafe. The video dialogues with Sotira Trifourki,
Kostas Karpouzis Spirit Kitsinelis and Camelia Chira became real
interviews. We will further talk about this in our next report.
Until then, let me say the big themes of the meeting: were
communicators and science journalists, science and education, love
and science, astronomy communication in Romania, science around
Christmas, science and religion. However, as expected, new subjects
and issues arose.
All these were aimed at finding an answer (or answers) to the
question launched by the meeting theme. Specifically, we intend to
find out if science and journalism are friends or enemies.
At the end of this first report, I have to thank everyone who
managed to reach the event. It had snowed heavily in Bucharest,
there were snowdrifts, and traffic was nearly blocked, and even
walking became a problem. However, participants arrived for the
dialogues, and expressed their opinions. A civilized tone was used.
We speak of a loving atmosphere in which we all enjoyed an
exceptional hot drink, whether it was coffee or tea.
This project is funded by the British Council's Beautiful
Science programme in Southeast Europe.