Featured image: Science communication in practice

BY MATHIEU ISIDRO (SKAO)

In July the SKAO hosted the fourth edition of the Public Awareness of Research Infrastructures conference at the Observatory’s Global Headquarters in the UK.

Organised on behalf of The Association of European-Level Research Infrastructures Facilities, the PARI conference brings together practitioners involved in research facilities’ communications activities to discuss the issues they face in their work. These include how to build and engage with diverse communities, the role played by research infrastructures in science diplomacy, promoting greater equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM fields through outreach activities, public relations practice, etc.

The event has traditionally been European in scope, but the SKAO’s footprint attracted a global audience, including strong representation from Australia and South Africa. In total, some 142 participants (including 60 in-person) representing 24 nationalities attended, giving the discussions a decidedly international scope, with experiences and different perspectives shared from almost every continent.

Close to 60 talks were given over the three days from more than three dozen organisations, including four intergovernmental organisations: the SKAO, the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and CERN.

The conference focused around several pillars of modern communication activities – public relations practice, unconventional outreach, the role of communications and outreach in promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, and the wider impact of research infrastructures in society.

The event was a real success, and provided an excellent platform for professional communications teams and science communicators to exchange best practices and lessons learned in communicating the work of research infrastructures with their peers.

The official PARI conference photo, taken outside the SKAO Global Headquarters with the Lovell Telescope in the background.

SKAO / Paul Worpole

The official PARI conference photo, taken outside the SKAO Global Headquarters with the Lovell Telescope in the background.

SKAO / Paul Worpole