VA to help science shops develop across Europe

VA is one of 18 European partners in SciShops, a new EU-funded Horizon 2020 project aimed at expanding the science shop ecosystem in Europe. Science shops are entities that perform or facilitate independent participatory research in response to concerns experienced by citizens and civil society. During the two and a half year project, which officially started in September, ten new science shops will be created. VA’s role in the project includes case studies, surveys and communication activities, as well as promoting the concept in Sweden.

Swedish mass experiment investigates credibility of teenagers’ news feeds

Preliminary results of a mass experiment involving 6,000 pupils show that Swedish teenagers get their news on social media from a broad range of sources, most of which they perceive to be credible. Facebook is the largest news source on social media, although not viewed as the most reliable. The News Evaluator is a citizen science collaboration between VA, Uppsala University and RISE Interactive designed to teach young people about source criticism as well as contribute to new research.

VA’s latest activities

Researchers’ Night celebrated across Sweden 
On 29 September, thousands of researchers across Europe shared their passion for science at the annual European Researchers’ Night celebrations. In Sweden, over 400 activities were held in 28 cities, including regional finals of the Researchers’ Grand Prix and a ‘draw-a-scientist’ competition for 6 to 12 year olds that attracted over 1,200 entries.
 
VA celebrates 15th Anniversary and keeps on marching for science​
On 18 October, VA held its annual conference in Stockholm with a focus on evidence-based policy making and the need for more source criticism and communication around research. The event attracted over 200 delegates and was aimed at building upon momentum generated through the March for Science in April. Speakers included Sweden’s Minister for Education, Gustav Fridolin, and the Director of Gapminder, Ola Rosling, son of the late Hans Rosling. It was also an opportunity to celebrate VA’s 15th Anniversary.

From open science to impact – VA contributes to webinar
Impact through open science and stakeholders’ engagement with civil society organisations was the focus of a presentation held by Maria Lindholm, VA’s Director of Research, as part of a webinar on 3 October. Organised by AESIS, the network for Advancing & Evaluating the Societal Impact of Science, and Elsevier, the webinar explored the role that open science can play in helping to drive research performance and maximising the societal impact of research.

VA presents ORION project 
VA’s researcher Martin Bergman participated in a panel discussion on RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) and open science at the NUCLEUS annual conference in Hannover on 5–6 October. The NUCLEUS project is an EU-funded project focused on overcoming institutional barriers to RRI. The conference provided an opportunity for VA to present the new ORION project, which VA is a partner in.

Forthcoming activities

VA has been invited to be part of the Swedish delegation, led by the Swedish Minister for Education, at UNESCO's biannual general conference in Paris from 30 October to 14 November. VA will be present at meetings being held by the Commissions on natural sciences, and social and human sciences on 5–9 November.

The final of the Researchers’ Grand Prix will be held on 28 November in Stockholm. Nine finalists will compete for the title of Sweden’s best science communicator and have just four minutes to present their research and win the audience’s votes. The audience and an expert judging panel select the winner.

VA will be discussing public trust in science and its annual Barometer at an evening event on 22 November at the Palais des Académies in Brussels. Co-organised by Wissenschaft im Dialog, VA and Eusea, with the support of Bayer, the event on the theme of ‘trusting science in an age of distrust’ will explore the results and implications from public surveys on science in Europe. Everyone welcome. Registration now open.

VA’s recent publications and resources available in English

VA Barometer 2016/2017: An annual survey into the Swedish public’s general attitudes towards science and researchers. The next edition of the VA Barometer is to be presented on 14 December. The results will be made available in English at the beginning of 2018.

VA information folder 2016/2017: Information about VA and its members.
 
SwafS national advocacy platform: to enhance Swedish participation in Horizon 2020’s SwafS programme.

VA in social media