That was the first Panel Discussion –
“Reaching for the Stars – We & Science!”
(Vienna, 25.04.2023) The new discussion series “Reaching for the Stars – We & Science!” in cooperation with the Wiener Zeitung started last Tuesday with an inspiring exchange between St. Anna CCRI Principal Investigator Caroline Hutter and Science Buster Martin Moder. In the unique ambience of the “Old Chapel” of the University of Vienna, the complexity of communicating knowledge was discussed and exciting insights were gained.
“The real art is to simplify things to the point where they become consumable without becoming so simple that they distort the truth!”, began Martin Moder, molecular biologist and Science Buster, addressing, among other things, the importance of choosing the right medium. While some media thrive on getting straight to the point within a matter of seconds, other platforms allow for a little more elaboration.
Research needs to be communicated
When asked what role communication plays in her work as a researcher, the eyes of Caroline Hutter, principal investigator at the St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, lit up: “It’s really important. I think it’s our job as scientists to prepare research in a communicative way!” After all, she added, researchers enjoy sharing the excitement of new discoveries and possible improvements in therapy. However, some researchers are more talented at communicating knowledge than others. Therefore, not everyone necessarily has to be a science communicator. Nonetheless, the mission of science communication can be fulfilled in any case: “Every institute has people who are good at science communication.”
“It’s complicated”
In the end, the panel agrees that what matters most is the public’s trust in science and the media. This can be generated at an early age. By bringing children and young people into contact with research while they are still at school, a connection with the scientific subject is established. “There are many ideas on what can be done, but it is complicated!”, summarized the host of the evening and deputy editor-in-chief of the Wiener Zeitung, Judith Belfkih.
Dialogue as a breeding ground for progress
Right at the beginning, Kaan Boztug, Scientific Director of St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute, found clear words on the importance of such discussion rounds: “We want to open a dialogue with you as a society, because what we do should not happen in secret.” Judith Fritz from the Postgraduate Center of the University of Vienna added her thoughts on the importance of mutual appreciation: “Science needs a society that trusts it in order to find a breeding ground for the further development of science!” Cooperation partner Wolfgang Renner, head of the Wiener Zeitung Akademie, acted as an essential link of the discussion: “Science is the engine of our society, of our democracy! Together we want to open the doors of the world of science and research and show that reaching for the stars is possible.”
Watch the whole panel discussion here:
A big thank you to our project partners the Wiener Zeitung as well as the Postgraduate Center of the University of Vienna for generously providing this great location! St. Anna CCRI is looking forward to the next event.
