ScienceCom 2026 | session for PhD students

Thursday, 26 November | Session for PhD students

Keynote session: 09:00 - 09:30

Science in Dialogue: Rethinking How Research Connects with Society
Public Engagement in Science and Scientific Culture: The Portuguese Science Communication Landscape
Sara Varela Amaral, SciComPt & CNC-UC, University of Coimbra, Portugal

Science communication and public engagement go far beyond sharing research findings: they are about building bridges between science and society, fostering scientific culture, dialogue, participation and trust. This keynote will explore evolving trends and innovative approaches, from art-science collaborations and citizen science to participatory practices and stakeholder engagement, highlighting the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and evaluating the impact of these activities. It will also provide an overview of the Portuguese science communication landscape, focusing on the role of universities, the Ciência Viva network and SciComPt, the Portuguese network of science communication professionals, in promoting scientific culture and public engagement. Finally, it will reflect on why science communication matters for PhD students and how engaging with society can enrich their research, broaden its impact and contribute to more responsible and socially relevant science.

Interactive lecture: 9:30 - 10:45

Short, but essential - the science communicator's toolkit

Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska, Politechnika Śląska, Stowarzyszenie Rzecznicy Nauki

The modern world is changing very quickly. The ways of communication changes as well. Also in science communication we need to follow new, often unknown paths. As scientists who would like to get closer to our audience with scientific topics we have plethora of options. Nonetheless we need to remember that not every tool is for all, not all tools are for us. The key is to choose wisely and train as much as possible. And the good news is that we all can learn how to prepare and use effective tool for science communication if we want to. I would like to give you some hints how to talk about science to other scientists and non-scientists effectively, show you some tools to reach variety of audience and share with you my experience as a scientist with media collaboration.

Workshop: 11:15 - 12:45

Three Minute Thesis: Making Your Research Count

Joanna Bagniewska, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Can you explain your PhD research in just three minutes - and make someone who knows nothing about your field genuinely interested in it?

Being able to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely and engagingly is an invaluable skill for any researcher. Whether you're presenting at a conference, talking to potential collaborators, applying for funding or simply explaining your work to friends and family, knowing how to capture your audience's attention and convey why your research matters can open many doors. In this interactive workshop, we'll explore how to identify the most compelling aspects of your research, turn complex concepts into accessible messages and tell a story that resonates with your audience. You'll have the opportunity to develop your own three-minute research pitch and practise delivering it in a friendly and supportive environment.

Workshop: 13:15 - 14:30

From Inspiration to Action: Designing Creative Science Engagement

Sara Varela Amaral, SciComPt & CNC-UC, University of Coimbra, Portugal

How can we bring science closer to society through creative and meaningful engagement? In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore inspiring examples of Portuguese science communication and public engagement projects, discovering different approaches such as citizen science, art-science collaborations, participatory practices and co-creation. Working in small groups, they will reflect on how these approaches can be adapted to their own research fields and contexts, developing creative ideas for engaging different audiences, involving relevant stakeholders and building interdisciplinary partnerships. The challenge is to move beyond traditional science communication and imagine new ways of connecting research with society, while considering how to assess the impact of these initiatives.

Bios

Sara Varela Amaral PhD is a science communication professional and researcher passionate about bringing science closer to people. With over 15 years of experience in science communication, public engagement, and science education, she designs initiatives that connect research with society in meaningful and creative ways. Holding a PhD in Science Communication and a background in Biochemistry, she currently leads science communication at CNC-UC and CiBB. Her work focuses on public engagement, citizen science, art and science, and building trust between science and society. Active in national and European projects, research, and professional networks, she contributes to advancing science communication through innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches. She is President of the Portuguese Network of Science and Technology Communication (SciComPt). She collaborates with the wider science communication community to foster a more informed, engaged, and participatory relationship between science and society.

prof. Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska is a microbiologist, university lecturer and science communicator who is affiliated with the Department of Environmental Biotechnology at the Silesian University of Technology. Since 2005, she has made science accessible to a wider audience through various communication formats, including articles, lectures, workshops, science stand-up, art and science projects, and television programmes such as Inventors of the Future and Copernicus Was a Woman. She is also the co-founder of the Centre for the Popularisation of Science at the Silesian University of Technology, where she served as director from 2017 to 2026. She runs training courses and workshops on science communication and working with the media. She encourages researchers and PhD students to actively share their knowledge, emphasising the role of science communication in education. She is a member of the Rzecznicy Nauki Association and deputy chair of the Polish Academy of Sciences' Council for the Dissemination of Science.

dr Joanna Bagniewska is a zoologist and a science communicator, working as a lecturer in environmental science at the University of Oxford, where she also runs interdisciplinary academic skills courses for doctoral students. She is a Fellow at Kellogg College Oxford, a researcher at Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and the author of "The Modern Bestiary" and "The Communicating Scientist".

Regulamin wydarzenia ScienceCom 2026