EUTOPIA_HEALTH Hosts Training on Impact and Science Communication

Maximising the impact of research and effectively communicating scientific discoveries are key challenges for researchers worldwide nowadays. With this in mind, as part of the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project’s Work Package 5, a two-day interactive, workshop-style training sessions were held in 2024 in Ljubljana (December 9-10), and Cluj-Napoca (December 12-13), and in 2025 in Lisbon (January 16-17). These sessions, designed for researchers and science management professionals, focused on impact and science communication. Over the course of two days, participants explored tools and strategies to enhance the relevance of their work and make it more accessible to diverse audiences.  
 

Day 1: Impact Training 

Led by Johan Emanuel, an experienced research advisor from the University of Gothenburg, this session explored best practices for engaging with stakeholders, securing funding, and demonstrating the value of research in both national and European contexts. Johan provided an overview of European research funding programs while, at each university, experts presented national funding opportunities, emphasising the importance of aligning research proposals with impact-focused criteria, particularly within the Horizon Europe framework.     

At the University of Ljubljana (UL), Veronika Simonovska from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics presented Slovenian funding opportunities. At Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB), Romanian funding opportunities were introduced by Stefana-Madalina Groza and, while at NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA), Hélder Lopes provided insights into the Portuguese funding landscape.  

Day 2: Science Communication Training 

The second day focused on developing communication skills. At UL, the session was facilitated by Renata Dacinger, a communicator and journalist, alongside Dr. Saša Novak, a scientific advisor, science communication consultant, full professor at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, and coordinator of the project Science on the Street. Through hands-on exercises, the participants learned how to develop effective communication plans tailored to their specific research projects. 

At UBB and NOVA, the training was facilitated by Joana Branco from Science Crunchers. Participants practiced creating clear and compelling scientific narratives tailored to different audiences, gaining practical techniques to enhance the visibility and reach of their research.  

Through these sessions, around 20 participants from each Widening university actively worked on their own examples, fostering a collaborative environment for feedback and growth. These sessions were widely regarded as transformative, empowering researchers and science management professionals to communicate their work more effectively and maximize its impact. 

If you want to know more about each training, you can access the dedicated piece of news published on the 3 Widening countries' website: 

• Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca
• The University of Ljubljana
• NOVA University Lisbon