“More than 40 experts, such as representatives of tech companies, researchers and students from five Russian cities, have followed this four-week training. We are sure that science communication knowledge will be useful for all of them,” said Dmitry Malkov, one of “SciComm Mission`s” organizers and ITMO University's Science Communication and Outreach Officer.
Alexander Tashkeev, graduate student of Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, who developed a concept of videoblogs that aimed to make research labs popular, shared what knowledge he had picked up through the seminars.
“SciComm lecturers shared up-to-date problems of science communication in Russia such as the lack of international experience and difficulties connected with the interaction between public and research labs through their press centers. I have never thought about these problems but now I understand that it is necessary to solve them by developing science communication so as to keep up with modern technological trends," said Mr. Tashkeev.
The program of the training included dozens of lectures on a variety of disciplines connected with science communication. Participants appreciated lecturers and their approach to the classes that combined fundamental knowledge and hand-on practices.
“We aimed to develop a multipronged training to give our participants an opportunity to choose the most interesting and appropriate field. Some of them chose science journalism, others focused on PR. This feature makes science communication popular with experts dealing with various fields,” noted Mr. Malkov.
Dmitry Malkov also noted that this training session would be turned into a full-fledged project. ITMO University officials plan to develop a comprehensive open online course. Previously Vladimir Vasilyev, ITMO University rector, announced the development of a first science communication Master program that would be based on experience of international experts.