High Professional Skills for Advanced Science Communication

"<< Background >>The project SCI-CO+ _ High Professional Skills for Advanced Science Communication has been developed to offer training and updating in the era of digital transition to those who are already involved in the world of science communication or wish to pursue a career in this field. The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic has exponentially increased globally, and especially in Europe, the need for easily and immediately accessible resources for the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge. In the “Council Recommendation” of 24/11/2020 on “Vocational training for sustainable competitiveness, social equity and resilience”, digital competences are to be an asset for systems and people in both work and training. The digital transition in work and learning contexts has two closely related needs: to provide those in training or already in the labour market with specific skills to interact with each other and perform tasks through the large-scale use of digital technologies or in virtual environments; to equip education, training, production and service systems with innovative skills.<< Objectives >>The project SCI-CO+ _ High Professional Skills for Advanced Science Communication aimed to contribute effectively to the digital transition of science communication. It was intended to achieve this goal through the development of profiles and advanced and specialised training courses for those who are engaged or wish to engage in the field of science communication. The rapid transition to digital platforms and tools requires new strategies, updated communication models, appropriate specialised language and advanced design and development techniques to create experiences that meet the needs of the contemporary context. A new methodological approach is needed, as well as specialised professionals capable of innovating the science communication landscape and ensuring its wider dissemination. This new approach has been named the SCI-CO+ Model. It aims to contribute to the innovation of the science communication landscape through an integrated set of strategic objectives to improve its production, accessibility and effectiveness, with a focus on how to interact with and engage audiences.<< Implementation >>The SCI-CO+ model, an innovative model for digital communication of science, was developed on the basis of the best experiences of the project partners and research work.The model is characterised by dynamism and flexibility, multidisciplinary integration, use of digital technologies and sustainability.Three SCICO+ model methodologies were developed for:SCICO+ Project Management, i.e. the set of innovative methods and techniques for managing science communication projects; SCICO+ Storytelling, aimed at writing and scripting digital science communication; SCICO+ Authoring and design of SCICO+ materials, aimed at the conception, design and development of science communication materials.The implementation of these methodologies required the definition of three highly qualified professional profiles:SCI-CO+ Project manager, the Expert in authoring and design of SCI-CO+ materials, the Expert in SCICO+ Storytelling.6 courses were designed, 3 refresher and 3 specialisation courses, of which the first three were also tested. A publishing activity was also realised with a magazine ""New Frontiers in Science Communication"" and a book, ""Communicating Science today"".<< Results >>The outputs of the SCI-CO+ project are: 1) SCI-CO+ website and E-learning platform, where 3 refresher courses were implemented with participants in all partner countries for a total of more than 300 users, including museum system professionals, teachers, researchers, students in training, start-ups and spin-offs. The quarterly journal ‘New Frontiers in Scientific Communication’ was produced, published in Italian, in English, printed and online, with ISSN code (print version: ISSN 2975-0822, online version: ISSN 3034-8285). The articles in the magazine represent scientific contributions developed on the topics of digital scientific communication and were written by top European experts in the field: professionals in communication, popularisation and science education in science museums, experts in science and society, university professors of scientific and humanistic disciplines, experts in the most advanced technologies in the field of robotics and artificial intelligence.A book ‘Communicating Science today’ was produced, published by Egea Editore, in Open Access format, in Italian and English, with the reflections and contributions of all the project partners."