Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, which offers the only English-language Bachelor’s degree programme in ‘Science Communication & Bionics’ in Europe, is the academic partner for the conference taking place in Nancy from 2 to 5 June 2015.
Four key themes run like a common thread through the four-day conference: Firstly, ‘Science and Society’ explores the role of citizens in the process of knowledge acquisition. For example, the internationally renowned scholar in the field of science studies, Prof. Alan Irwin from Copenhagen Business School, will analyse the differences between ‘citizen science’ and ‘scientific citizenship’.
A second thematic area focuses on institutional research communication – for instance, the question of how science and politics can find a common language, and what influence research has, or should have, on the legislative process.
Internationalisation is the third key focus. Among others, Prof. Brian Wynne from Lancaster University will speak about cultural differences, what defines science, and how it interacts with society in different cultures around the world. Further international perspectives will be provided by leading experts in science communication, such as Elizabeth Rasekoala from Africa and Cheng Donghong from China.
Fourthly, the conference in Nancy will focus on new approaches to out-of-school education: what do we know, from a didactic perspective, about how science can be successfully explained outside the classroom and lecture theatre? What role will traditional mass media and journalism continue to play in this context in the future, compared with interactive and social media? Could science and technology museums, for example, become ‘curators of the future’? How can the enthusiasm of younger generations for computer games or even magic tricks be harnessed to bring science to the public in the future?
Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is taking part in the conference with two specialist forums: “Among other things, we are launching an international exchange platform in Nancy for researchers and practitioners in science communication, because it is precisely in this area that the mutual transfer of knowledge between theory and practice still leaves a great deal to be desired,” says Prof. Alexander Gerber, Head of the “Science Communication & Bionics” degree programme at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. He will be accompanied to the conference in France by a student delegation from Kleve, who will conduct in-depth interviews with the conference’s key figures on site and report on the event via video.
The conference will be complemented, amongst other things, by a film festival and the final of the ‘Three-Minute Thesis’ competition.
Although last-minute participants can no longer register online, they can simply pay their participation fee on the spot in Nancy.
