From communication to consensus building

As a science communicator working in the Netherlands, my connection to EUSEA (or EUSCEA, or, more precisely, still in formation) began with an invitation from Peter Rebernik to come to Vienna to discuss the possibility of exchanging experiences in science communication. From day one, the contact has always felt both professional and personal. We had meetings in several European cities and combined work with dinners and other activities with partners and sometimes even children.

Together, we were searching for ways to move beyond traditional outreach, beyond simply explaining science. We were aware that simply expressing our own love for science and technology is not enough to convey that enthusiasm to others. On the contrary, it can be counterproductive.

In the Dutch context, where collaboration and consensus-building are part of our DNA (we call it the ‘polder model’), these principles resonated strongly. I suppose every EUSEA member has the same feeling of recognition I had at that time: across Europe, colleagues are facing the same challenges, fostering involvement and real dialogue between researchers and the public.

EUSEA provided exactly that: a home for people who believe science should not sit in an ivory tower, but live in society. EUSEA offered me inspiration and a community of peers who were asking the same questions: How do we build trust? How do we include unheard voices? How do we make science meaningful in people’s everyday lives?

EUSEA remains essential because the challenges we face today – climate change, health crises, AI, misinformation – do not stop at national borders. Neither should our solutions. The network continues to provide a shared space for learning, experimenting, and shaping the future of public engagement with science.

Adapting to changing expectations and opportunities

Public engagement with science has changed over the past 25 years. In the 1990s and 2000s, I worked on science weeks and similar events both at a university and nationally. It was all new and exciting, visitor numbers increased every year and creative initiatives like national experiments (can we cause an earthquake if all Dutch children jump at the same time?), Science cafes, student events with professors in gowns and even a science quiz broadcast on Christmas Day were launched.

Let’s be clear: the fun part of science communication is still essential. But both public attitudes and science have changed. Today’s biggest challenges include declining trust in institutions, the spread of misinformation and increasing polarisation. More than 25 years ago, there was a need to engage more diverse communities, not just those already interested and well educated. No need to say that the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that trust is hard to gain but easy to lose. Transparency, relationship building, and active approaches are part of scientists’ and communicators’ responsibilities.

In the Netherlands, we see growing expectations that scientists explain the societal impact of their work and engage ethically with citizens. Compared to 25 years ago, engagement is no longer optional. It is expected, and rightly so.

The importance of shared values

I have the impression that EUSEA has grown along with the field itself. From its early days as a network connecting science festivals and communicators, it has evolved into a platform that promotes inclusion, innovation, and reflection.

Nowadays, I work in a different field; my focus is lifelong learning. Our challenge is how to inspire adults to continue developing themselves throughout their careers and how to lower the threshold to vocational education. In the Netherlands, we seem to agree on the answer: that is not a supply problem. It is a connection problem. At that point, I still remember the lessons I learned 25 years ago from my work in science communication.

EUSEA can be proud that it has encouraged experimentation and exchange, and fostered a culture of (lifelong ) learning. For me, EUSEA represents a commitment to doing science communication better. Not just louder, but more thoughtfully, more ethically, and more collaboratively. And not in the least: with a lot of fun and personal contacts.

The importance of community: colleagues and friends for life

At a time when science is both more powerful and more contested than ever, we need strong, connected communities. EUSEA can provide that. So, to any individual or organisation considering EUSEA membership, my message is simple: join the conversation!

My contact with former EUSEA colleagues is no longer frequent, but nonetheless warm. A few years ago, I saw Mikkel Bohm (from Denmark) wearing a t-shirt with a citation of Danish astrophysics professor Anja C. Andersen: “Viden er f*ndeme ikke et synspunkt”. A true word (just look up the translation…). I immediately bought that shirt, and it has been a perfect conversation starter with Dutch friends and colleagues. Maybe Mikkel can also write a birthday blog and explain the story behind the citation?

I appeal to continue to think European. Membership of EUSEA is a link in that chain. EUSEA is more than a network. It is a learning community and a platform for mutual inspiration for meaningful science–society relationships. Public engagement thrives when we learn from each other!

Author:

Janneke Voltman, – EUSEA founding member

The European Science Engagement Association is both saddened and concerned to read about the proposed changes to Ilia State University (ISU) as part of a wider agenda affecting higher education institutions in Georgia. ISU is one of EUSEA’s long-term members and, as many EUSEA members will fondly recollect, the vibrant and welcoming destination for our annual conference in 2024, welcoming over 100 EUSEA members and friends to Tbilisi from across Europe and beyond.

As was evident from the conference and other collaborations with ISU, including the NUCLEUS Responsible Research and Innovation project, ISU is a beacon for academic freedom and broad disciplinary approaches that underpin excellence in teaching and research. There is a concerning shift toward interwoven partisan agendas in many places, which can only undermine the fundamental principles of open inquiry, knowledge creation, and evidence-based outcomes. The EUSEA community epitomises the values of inclusivity, reflective practice and collaboration, and we stand in support with the staff and students of ISU through these uncertain times.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iliauni/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iliauniedu/

Bringing together an emerging community

Back in the 1990s, when our journey into science communication was at the early stages, the idea of communicating was largely equated with press relations. The prevailing belief was that if we simply provided people with enough information, they would understand why science matters. Looking back, this was a very linear understanding of communication and somewhat of a one-way street from science to society. The desired impact rarely materialised. Communication, after all, thrives on dialogue, on listening, and on mutual learning.

Against this backdrop, Joachim and colleagues in Freiburg took a new step in 2000 and initiated the first German Science Festival, inspired by the Edinburgh Science Festival, which had already demonstrated since 1989 how powerful direct encounters with science could be. The aim was to create spaces where science and society could meet on equal footing. The fact that, for more than 25 years, this format has engaged many thousands of people in dialogue every year continues to confirm that this was the right path to take.

The shaping of a new network

At the same time, similar festivals to the German model were emerging in a few European countries. From early on, there was a strong desire to connect with colleagues across borders – to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and jointly develop new ideas. Following initial meetings in Freiburg and later in Gothenburg, the idea emerged to formalise this collaboration, ideally within the framework of a joint EU project.

One of the central outcomes of this project was the founding of EUSCEA, the European Science Events Association, as it was then called. The founding event took place in Vienna in 2001. Besides the two of us, representing Germany and Austria, the founding team included Annika Lotzman-Dahl (Sweden), Magdalena Fikus (Poland), Janneke Voltman (the Netherlands), and Mikkel Bohm (Denmark). The project received EU funding – an important signal that science communication was increasingly being recognised as a matter of public and political relevance.

We are proud to have been involved at the very beginning of this wonderful endeavour.

From events to engagement – tackling the big issues head on

Since the founding of EUSCEA, the field of science communication has evolved significantly. The long-dominant deficit model has increasingly been questioned and complemented by dialogical approaches – extending to forms of engagement and genuine participation. This shift was also reflected in the further development and renaming a decade ago of EUSCEA to EUSEA – ‘events’ becoming ‘engagement’. Today, EUSEA is a key actor in European science engagement and an important space for exchange, reflection, and collective development.

Looking ahead, we once again face profound changes. Artificial intelligence, digital public spheres, and growing societal polarisation pose new challenges for science communication. Several developments are becoming clear.

Firstly, dialogical approaches will continue to gain importance – and will increasingly become political, whether we want them to or not. As a result, science will need to be communicated more openly as a process, rather than as an infallible truth machine. Communication will become more targeted: not maximum reach, but relevant reach will be the key measure of success.

The first logo for the European Science Events Association, as it was then called.

Encounters between scientists and citizens remain essential – especially in polarised times, whether in physical or digital spaces. It is also likely that science communication will continue to professionalise and extend far beyond traditional journalism. At the same time, more research on science communication is needed, including within universities. Perhaps most pressing in current times, demands and expectations on science communication will increase as democracies themselves come under pressure. Science must explain more clearly than ever why it is relevant, why it requires resources, and why its methods, ethos and expertise deserve trust.

Looking Back with Pride

What makes us most proud of EUSEA and the way it has evolved since the early days is how a small idea turned into a strong and genuinely European community. There was no grand strategy at the beginning – just a shared feeling that science communication had to be more than passing on information, and that real encounters and exchange really matter.

One memorable project that stands out for us is WONDERS, which stood for “Welcome to Observations, News and Development of European Research in Science”. It was a kind of carousel of science communication in which each member visited another to share their science communication activities. The host again was sent to another member and so forth. As we recall, the project started with about 21 members growing to more than 30 members taking part from all over Europe by 2007.

We’re proud that EUSEA has held on to this spirit over the years. Even as the field has changed, the organisation has stayed open: to new formats, new topics, new countries, and new generations of people working in science communication. EUSEA has never felt like a network for its own sake, but rather a place where people can share experiences honestly and develop ideas together.

What we especially appreciate is how EUSEA has grown alongside science communication itself. Starting with a strong focus on events and festivals, it has gradually embraced broader principles of dialogue, engagement, and participation—without losing the importance of meeting people face-to-face.

The European dimension has always been one of EUSEA’s great strengths. At a time when debates often become national and polarised, EUSEA continues to show the value of learning from different contexts and perspectives across borders.

Above all, EUSEA is about people. The commitment, curiosity, and passion that so many have brought to the community over the years are what keep it relevant and alive.

When we look at EUSEA today, we don’t just see an organisation with a long history – we see a community with a future. And that fills us with real joy.

A family worth joining…

On being part of the EUSEA members network, we would say: join if you are curious, open, and interested in learning from others. EUSEA is not just an organisation you sign up to – it’s a community you become part of.

If you work in science communication and care about dialogue and meaningful engagement with society, EUSEA offers a space to exchange ideas, learn from diverse perspectives, and develop new approaches. You don’t need to have all the answers; what matters is a willingness to share experiences openly.

For organisations, EUSEA provides a valuable European perspective beyond national contexts. It helps you see your work in a broader framework, connect with others, and build partnerships across borders.

What truly sets EUSEA apart is its open and collegial atmosphere. People are generous with their knowledge and genuinely interested in each other’s work.

So if you are looking for exchange rather than competition, and for a European community driven by both professionalism and passion for science communication, EUSEA is well worth joining.

Authors:

A photo album of the gathering to vote on EUSEA’s first statutes is available here.

Early insights from this third cohort are already available via our new impact dashboard, developed by the team at T6 Ecosystems. The dashboard highlights who took part, the research areas these initiatives explored, and the activities and outputs generated over the past seven months.

Since 2021, IMPETUS has worked to use its expertise and extended networks to carve out a dedicated space within the citizen science community—one that supports knowledge exchange, growth, and inclusive research practices. While this moment marks the conclusion of both the IMPETUS accelerator and the European Prize for Citizen Science (for now), we are immensely proud to have been part of so many citizen science journeys.

Over the lifetime of the IMPETUS project, we have supported 129 projects through our accelerator programme and distributed more than €2 million in funding, with an additional €300,000 awarded through the European Prize for Citizen Science. The long-term impact and legacy of these projects are a source of real pride for the IMPETUS team, and a powerful reminder of how vital sustained funding and support are for citizen science and inclusive research.

Our next training…

On 16 December, we hosted the third session of our Public Engagement Hotspots—an online forum where community members come together to exchange ideas, share challenges, and explore emerging issues in science communication and public engagement.

This webinar offered a clear and practical overview of European Commission funding schemes, including updates on Horizon Europe, as well as evolving expectations around the democratisation of science and impact measurement. Whether you are a seasoned grant writer or new to the process, a strong understanding of EC funding schemes is essential to staying competitive in the increasingly crowded European research landscape.

The session was moderated by EUSEA Board Member Maria Hagardt, who was joined by this month’s chefs:

Who is in the kitchen?

Keeping with the food theme- as always- here are some of the “takeaways” from this discussion:

This EUSEA online session brought together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to explore the European Commission’s evolving approach to competitiveness, open science, and citizen engagement in research and innovation (R&I). The event combined policy insight from the European Commission with practical experience from EU-funded projects, offering participants a forward-looking perspective on funding opportunities, strategic positioning, and public engagement in the 2026–2027 period.

European Commission Competitive Edge Discussion

The meeting opened with welcomes and an overview of the session format, including short presentations followed by discussion. Chris Styles outlined the structure of the event and introduced the speakers.

The session featured:

• Dr. Georgios Papanagnou, Policy Officer on Open Science and Public Engagement in Research & Innovation at the European Commission, with a professional background spanning UNESCO, academia, and DG Research & Innovation;

• Helen Garrison, Project and Communications Manager at Vetenskap & Allmänhet (Public & Science); and

• Maria Hagardt, Senior Research Officer at the International Secretariat of the Swedish Research Office.

The discussion focused on competitiveness in EU research funding and the changing policy and funding landscape of the European Commission. Chris concluded the opening remarks by welcoming participants and inviting Maria to deliver the first presentation.

EUSEA and EU Initiatives

Maria Hagardt presented an overview of EUSEA’s role in EU funding, policy processes, and public engagement initiatives. She highlighted EUSEA’s long-standing engagement in European projects, including initiatives such as Two Ways and its involvement in chairing the European Commission’s Mutual Learning Exercise on Public Engagement. Maria emphasized the importance of strategic frameworks, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to strengthen public engagement across Europe. She also outlined ongoing and forthcoming EU proposals, including the Empathus project and the Trust in Science initiative. The session then transitioned to Dr. Georgios Papanagnou, who introduced key elements of the Horizon Europe work programme.

Citizen Engagement in Research and Innovation

Dr. Georgios Papanagnou presented priorities within the Horizon Europe work programme for the coming two years, focusing on citizen engagement in research and innovation (R&I). He outlined two main areas:

• citizen science as a mechanism to support policymaking and democratic governance, and

• guiding principles for inclusive and meaningful citizen engagement.

He also discussed mechanisms and funding schemes to support sustainable citizen participation, alongside initiatives aimed at strengthening scientific literacy, youth engagement in science and democracy, and scaling up public engagement at EU level. A core objective is to enhance trust in science through citizen engagement and to build a European community of practice involving member states.

2026–2027 Research Funding Overview

The discussion moved to upcoming funding opportunities for 2026–2027, with Georgios explaining the role of Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs). These actions aim to coordinate research and policy communities rather than fund original research. In response to questions about European university alliances, Georgios noted that while alliances may participate within consortia, they are unlikely to apply independently. Concerns were raised about the relatively limited €2 million budget, to which Georgios clarified that CSAs focus on synthesising existing evidence, building frameworks, and supporting policy objectives. Expectations for citizen science projects were also discussed, with an emphasis on taking stock of existing evidence and developing mechanisms to integrate citizen science into democratic policymaking.

EU Project Experience and Strategy

Helen Garrison, Project and Communications Manager at Vetenskap & Allmänhet (Public & Science), shared insights from the organisation’s extensive experience in EU-funded projects. Since 2009, the organisation has participated in 23 EU projects across multiple funding programmes. Helen highlighted their role in fostering openness and dialogue between researchers and the public, frequently contributing as work package leaders, task leads, or third-party participants. She outlined their strategic approach to project selection, considering alignment with organisational priorities, added value, and the quality of the consortium. The importance of networking, national and international partnerships, and resources such as the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and National Contact Points (NCPs) was also emphasized.

EU Research Funding and Competitiveness

A panel discussion explored the concept of competitiveness in EU research funding. Georgios described competitiveness as closely linked to innovation and economic impact, while participants noted a perceived shift in recent policy documents from open science towards competitiveness. Maria suggested that competitiveness can also involve diversifying expertise and building strong, interdisciplinary consortia, and reflected on how funding for science communication has evolved across successive European framework programmes. The session concluded with Chris Styles announcing upcoming EUSEA training activities in 2026, including sessions on EU grant writing and the use of AI tools, and inviting participants to contribute ideas for future training topics.

2025 Achievements and 2026 Opportunities

The meeting closed with reflections on achievements in 2025, including successful community events and organisational developments, alongside seasonal well-wishes. Chris highlighted upcoming opportunities for 2026, such as new training sessions on AI tools for EU funding and proposal writing, an additional EU funding training planned for March, and the Inspiring ERA Citizen Engagement online event in January. He also mentioned the EUSEA 26 call for proposals, which closed in December, and the launch of a new EUSEA Marketplace pilot enabling public engagers to share services and products. Participants were encouraged to consider EUSEA membership for reduced rates on trainings and the annual conference. Maria closed by stressing the importance of remaining actively engaged with the evolving EU funding landscape. The meeting concluded with a reminder that all presentations would be shared via Padlet and the EUSEA website, along with a follow-up post summarising key points and links.

Participants were invited to share their thoughts, and questions on the following Padlet. If you would like to see or add to this board, please click here.

And if you want to catch up on the full discussion, you can watch the entire thing below.

This spring, public and community engagement colleagues Zara Gladman (Research Services Directorate), Kevin Leomo (College of Arts & Humanities), Debbie McNeill (Glasgow Science Festival, College of Medical ,Veterinary and Life Sciences) and Ken Skeldon (Research Services Directorate) represented the University of Glasgow’s fantastic engagement work at two international conferences. Here they share reflections from connecting with colleagues from across the globe.

Tell us about the conferences

EUSEA is the European Science Engagement Association, an organisation dedicated to promoting and enhancing public engagement with research. The term ‘science’ is the European definition, which is inclusive of all research, including arts and humanities. The University of Glasgow has been a member of EUSEA since 2023 (with benefits like conference discounts extended to all staff and students). The annual EUSEA conference brings together practitioners, educators and researchers from across Europe. This year it was hosted by La Palma Research Centre, based in Gran Canaria.

The PCST (Public Communication of Science and Technology) Network is a global academic and professional organisation in the field of science communication. The PCST seeks to promote new ideas, methods, intellectual and practical questions, and perspectives on the communication of science and technology. This year the PCST was hosted in Aberdeen, Scotland.

What brought you to the conferences? 

KEN: I had an active role in both conferences, which by coincidence, ended up being only two weeks apart despite being planned over several years!

For PCST, my role goes back to 2016 when my team at the University of Aberdeen led the successful bid to host the conference in Scotland – its first time to the UK and originally planned for May 2020! We were drawn to PCST for two reasons. Firstly, it is a truly global grassroots network including strong representation among LMIC, Africa and Asia, which brings a richness of contexts, cultures and experiences unlike most other public engagement gatherings.  Secondly, the PCST network comprises both practitioners and scholars in almost equal measure, making it unique in connecting research and practice.

For EUSEA, my role is two-fold: firstly as a member, and secondly, in my current capacity as the EUSEA President. I was first drawn to EUSEA partly due to the relative intimacy of the network – it is large enough to be representative of multiple actors and geographics (~120 members over 31 countries) while of a size that makes it possible for members to get to know one another and avoid getting ‘lost in the crowd’.

ZARA: I was involved in co-delivering two sessions at EUSEA. One with Kevin and Debbie (I’ll let them tell you more). The other was focussed on sharing learning and challenges associated with evaluating large-scale festivals like European Researchers’ Night (ERN). I’ve been responsible for leading the University of Glasgow (UofG)’s contribution to ERN – ‘Explorathon’ – since 2019. At EUSEA it was great to meet and collaborate on a session with my equivalents in other countries (Sweden, Malta and Spain), which generated a lot of discussion. At PCST I gave a short talk on St Mungo Square – the large outdoor space on the new Western campus, flanked by research buildings – and shared how UofG staff and students working with communities to activate this space and programme creative engagement events, from ceilidhs to sustainably-powered music festivals.

KEVIN: Attending EUSEA was the most recent part of my journey as a public engagement practitioner, which I started during my PhD (with encouragement from Zara to get involved in Explorathon!). The University of Glasgow has a robust Public & Community Engagement Group comprised of public and community engagement professionals from across our institution. We’ve done a lot of work over recent years strengthening the position of our group, as members are often working individually or in very small teams. We also work together throughout the year on initiatives like Explorathon and often programme events and activities very collaboratively. Attending EUSEA was the chance to fly the flag for public engagement at the University of Glasgow, share our individual and collective work, and to meet our European counterparts!

DEBBIE: I worked with Zara and Kevin on our session ‘Making Waves in Public Engagement’. This gave us the opportunity to share: 1) how UofG has built a strong network of engagement professionals, through the Public and Community Engagement Group described by Kevin 2) how partnership-building underpins our community engagement work and 3) how campus developments – such as creation of St Mungo Square – are opening up new opportunities for barrier-free engagement. In particular from my own experience at Glasgow Science Festival (GSF), I shared a case study of collaborating with the Kinning Park Complex, and how we facilitated community-led content for a Halloween event.

What did you gain from participating this year? 

ZARA: Public engagement professionals – particularly those working in events or time-intensive community projects – are often so focused on project delivery that they forget to share, reflect on and celebrate their work. Internally, I think Glasgow does a decent job of this, I’m really happy to be a part of the Public and Community Engagement Group. But I think we could do better at sharing outwards, and EUSEA and PCST were the perfect opportunity to do this. Equally, I really valued the chance to sit back and listen. I learned about – and was inspired by – a brilliant range of engagement initiatives. There was the artist-led ‘Hopes and Fears Lab’ (Cambridge, UK), a playful approach to stimulating conversations about science ethics; Research Ireland’s collaboration with TikTokers (relevant to my interests!) to share research creatively and promote Science Week; the A.L.I.C.E. project (Turin, Italy), a collaboration between law students, women prisoners and theatre makers to highlight the challenges faced by incarcerated women; and dialogue sessions between scientists and traditional healers in South Africa, to bridge the gap between indigenous knowledge systems and “Western” science, which has led to new collaborative research projects (led by Mamoeletsi Mosia, National Research Foundation of South Africa).

The biggest thing I took home with me was an amazing sense of community with colleagues across the world, who are facing many of the same challenges. I’m made new connections that I’ll definitely be following up on.

DEBBIE: Despite working in public engagement for over 20 years, this was my first time attending an international PE conference. As Zara said, we are often so focused on delivery of projects that it’s difficult to find time to share and network. I’m so glad that I did. Sharing my experiences of Glasgow Science Festival – and in particular, the importance of ethical partnerships – reaffirmed my passion for what we do. The chance to connect with my equivalents in other countries was incredibly valuable. Among the delegates was Julia Brink, who leads a large-scale festival in Sweden that will have its 20^th birthday the same year as Glasgow Science Festival. I think some twin-town celebrations are in order.

KEVIN: I really enjoyed learning about different approaches to public engagement from colleagues across Europe. I’m always thinking about arts & humanities representation and was glad to present some of the brilliant programming and public engagement work that happens across the College of Arts & Humanities. I’m also passionate about anti-racism and tackling structural barriers within Higher Education, so it was great getting to speak about these vital issues with others working in these areas across Europe. Getting to collaborate with Debbie and Zara on our interactive workshop was also a real joy. A key takeaway for me was a changed perspective on the public engagement that occurs at University of Glasgow – there are always improvements to be made, but I truly believe we’re sector-leading in the field!

KEN: Both conferences gave a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues from previous roles.

The rescheduling of PCST from 2020 to 2025 gave us more time to attract a huge, worldwide audience to the event and to consolidate budgets: we’re proud to have awarded almost 40 travel bursaries. Alongside my organisational role, I chaired sessions and presented on the UofG’s Solutions for Change and Open Lab initiatives.

A lot of EUSEA’s work aligns with what is happening in the European research landscape, which is really beneficial to connect with – for instance in the (Horizon) Framework Programmes and evolving European Research Area (ERA). At the Gran Canaria conference I chaired a plenary panel debating the findings of the recently published European Commission’s Mutual Learning Exercise report on PE within R&I.

What was your most memorable moment?

ZARA: At both EUSEA and PCST, karaoke featured heavily in the social itinerary. There was something quite amusing – and lovely – about singing Spice Girls, The Cranberries and Eminem alongside international colleagues; then witnessing the same people giving quite serious talks the following morning. I like the idea of connecting as humans first, then colleagues – the same applies for public and community engagement.

KEVIN: I loved the EUSEA conference dinner, set in the beautiful Doramas Park, getting to try some delicious Canarian delicacies (I still want to try recreating the vegan leek savoury flan!). Another highlight was hearing school children speaking Silbo Gomero, a language which translates Spanish to whistle tones, originally spoken by the Guanches, the indigenous Canarians.

KEN:  PCST in Aberdeen was the culmination of an almost 10-year long journey for me, and so it was very nostalgic to be back in the city where I lived for over 8 years and did so much public engagement. Seeing and working with members of my old team, particularly Heather Doran, and other colleagues from that time was wonderful, and to be able to welcome over 600 people from all over the world to the conference surpassed all our expectations! I also enjoyed connecting with many colleagues from over the years who I hadn’t seen in some time.

For the EUSEA conference, it was my first as President of the Association and so a very special occasion for me to welcome everyone to the gathering. It was also the last for EUSEA’s Director of 9 years, Annette Klinkert, and I couldn’t have wished for a brighter, more positive send off! It was also great to see more of my colleagues from Glasgow in sunny Gran Canaria, presenting their amazing work.

DEBBIE: The conference ran just a few weeks before the Glasgow Science Festival, so it had been a difficult decision to try and carve the time out to attend. I had booked a lovely apartment with a balcony overlooking Las Canteras beach. In between an early morning filled with work emails and heading off to join colleagues for a day of fascinating talks and workshops. I had this lovely moment of quiet calm, looking out to sea and drinking a coffee, reflecting on what a privilege it is to be part of the engagement world.

What’s next for engagement at Glasgow?

ZARA: I recently submitted our Horizon Europe funding application, to hopefully bring Explorathon back again in 2026 (crossing fingers!). I’m also excited to be a part of ‘Learn Together’, a new community-led training programme that aims to upskill researchers in ethical engagement.

KEN: I’m looking forward to May 2027 when the University of Glasgow will host the EUSEA conference in the ARC, following our successful pitch back in 2023! It will be an exciting opportunity to attract this vibrant European PE community to our doorstep and for our own activity and campus to shine.

KEVIN: I’m continuing to work on Thinking Culture, our year-round programme of critical and creative events centring the practice and research of our staff, students, and guest artists. I’m also very much looking forward to the third iteration of Creatives of Colour Festival which will take place in May 2026!

DEBBIE: After a record-breaking event in 2025, the call for ideas for Glasgow Science Festival 2026 is now open! This is our 20^th birthday. I’m excited to celebrate, along with everyone who has made the festival a success through the years. You can submit your event proposals until 12 January 2026. 

The EUSEA 2026 conference will take place in Luxembourg in May. Registration will open in February 2026. University of Glasgow delegates receive a discount due to EUSEA membership.

#EUSEA27 will be heading to Glasgow next year, and we are very excited to work with the team at the University of Glasgow after May to make your visit to Scotland as bonnie as possible. More details will be available later this year.

On November 26, we hosted the second session of our Public Engagement Hotspots, an online space where community members can exchange ideas, share challenges, and discuss emerging issues in science communication and public engagement.

In this session, we joined you in exploring the complex world of social media, science engagement, and public engagement. In our virtual kitchen, we welcomed three EUSEA colleagues with extensive experience in using social media to connect with audiences and in collaborating with researchers to present their work in engaging ways on these platforms.  Moderated by EUSEA Board Member Sara Verstraeten, she was joined by this month’s chefs:

Keeping with the food theme- as always- here are some of the “takeaways” from this discussion:

A Fast-Changing Social Media Landscape

Heather opened the discussion by charting the evolution of social media in public engagement.
What began as a handful of platforms offering consistent reach has become a fragmented ecosystem of niche apps, rapid algorithm changes, shifting user demographics, and heightened expectations.

Key points included:

• Fragmentation requires diversification: No single platform is enough; comms teams must tailor content across multiple channels.

• Funding matters: Effective, sustained online engagement requires time, skills, and resources — not just “posting more”.

• Authenticity reduces risk: Being transparent about who you are and why you’re sharing builds trust and lowers the pressure many professionals feel when posting on behalf of institutions.

Heather also reflected on the mental load of social media work, emphasising that science communicators often juggle public scrutiny, platform volatility, and the responsibility of accurate messaging.

Reaching and Engaging Young People

Rebecca shared insights from coordinating social media during Science Week Ireland, where reaching younger audiences is both essential and challenging.

Her expanded talking points:

• Youth engagement demands platform fluency: TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels dominate teenage media habits.

• Influencer engagement works — when it’s authentic: Early experiments using rigid briefs produced stiff, uninspired content. Today, her team prioritises conversations with creators, co-developing content rooted in the influencer’s authentic style.

• Short-form video is powerful: They saw notable engagement increases when shifting from static posts to dynamic, personality-driven clips.

• Email newsletters aren’t dead: For teachers, parents, and community partners, newsletters continue to outperform social media.

Rebecca emphasised that science content doesn’t need to “dumb down” — it needs to meet audiences where they are, in formats they naturally use.

Blending Personality and Science: Lessons from Smash Science

Sam drew from his experience running Smash Science, a Swiss-focused science news channel for younger audiences.
His approach emphasises:

• The power of personality: Viewers respond more to people than institutions; showing humour and curiosity increases engagement.

• Entertainment + substance: Fun, relatable content can open the door to deeper science stories.

• Youth perspectives matter: Regular visits to Swiss high schools revealed that teens’ media habits shift rapidly and unpredictably — requiring constant adaptation.

• Algorithms reward consistency: High-quality posting loses effectiveness without regular schedules, making social media labour-intensive.

He also spoke candidly about the tensions between “viral potential” and scientific integrity — noting that science rarely fits neatly into platform incentives.

Audience Questions, Insights & Shared Experiences

Participants contributed actively, raising practical concerns and exchanging ideas. Key themes included:

“Do we really need to be everywhere?”

Several participants expressed fatigue with the pressure to manage multiple channels.
The panel agreed: No organisation needs to be on every platform. Instead, teams should choose platforms that align with their mission, capacity, and audience.

Balancing organisational voice with personal authenticity

Attendees shared experiences of tension between institutional tone and the more informal style that performs well online.
Panelists encouraged experimenting with “human-centred” narratives while remaining aligned with institutional values.

Handling misinformation and polarisation

Audience members asked how communicators can respond to misleading or aggressive comments.
Panelists recommended:

• setting clear moderation guidelines

• avoiding reactive arguments

• focusing on proactive, clear, values-driven communication

Measuring meaningful impact

Many expressed frustration with vanity metrics (likes, impressions).
The panel highlighted alternatives such as:

• audience retention

• qualitative feedback

• long-term engagement patterns

• teacher/educator uptake

• content reuse or referencing

Complementary strategies beyond social media

The audience reinforced a major theme: social media is a tool, not the whole toolbox.
Workshops, newsletters, school visits, live events, and community partnerships remain essential for deeper engagement.

A Community of Practice, Not Perfection

The session highlighted a shared truth: effective digital engagement is messy, fast-changing, and full of trial and error.
Yet the Hot Pot demonstrated the value of learning together — comparing notes, sharing tools, and acknowledging challenges openly.

Participants were invited to share their thoughts, questions, and…. most importantly…. memes on the following Padlet. If you would like to see or add to this board, please click here.

And if you want to catch up on the full discussion, you can watch the entire thing below. But, if you want to head outside and touch some grass instead, go do that first!

Topics we’ll cover:

• Key updates in EC funding priorities and instruments for 2026-27 and beyond
• The rise of impact-focused research and public engagement expectations
• How to get involved and build competitive, future-ready consortia and project partnerships
• Plus a little Christmas fun!

Who is in the kitchen?