Our Lunch Talks are creative, interdisciplinary and international. Speakers think out-of-the-box about science communication, often drawing from experience in media, the arts or the cultural sector. Because we focus on communication techniques, the sessions are relevant for researchers from all scientific disciplines.

The programme is bilingual (EN/NL), and we regularly welcome international voices.

Next up:
Scicomm for policymaking during a health crisis

Ingrid Van Marion, Niel Hens, Mieke Vandenbroucke, Erika Vlieghe, Jorgen Stassijns - October 17 - 12.00 pm

When a crisis hits, how do science and policy really talk to each other? This Lunch Talk opens with Ingrid Van Marion (Université libre de Bruxelles – ULB), co-lead of the Communication Processes work package within BE-PIN – the Belgian Pandemic Intelligence Network. She shares insights from her research on how communication shaped pandemic policymaking — from the exchange of knowledge between scientists and policymakers to the government’s public communication about science and policy decisions.

After her presentation, an expert panel — Mieke Vandenbroucke (University of Antwerp), Niel Hens (Hasselt University), Jorgen Stassijns (Sciensano), and Erika Vlieghe (Institute of Tropical Medicine) — will reflect on what we can learn from the pandemic. Join the discussion on how science communication can make — or break — evidence-based policymaking.

Missed a talk?
Slow science communication

Siska Van Parys

Most science communication today is short and fast — but at the Institute of Natural Sciences they also try something different. Together with colleagues, Siska Van Parys works on long-form stories that highlight the institute’s core research areas — palaeontology, geology, archaeology, taxonomy, evolution — and the collections that support them. They create overview articles on the website, mini-documentaries about expeditions and fieldwork, and stories that spotlight the people behind the research.

In this SciComm Academy Lunch Talk, Siska will share some of the projects she’s been involved in, what they hope to achieve with them, and why slow science communication has become part of their approach.

Missed a talk?
How to survive a journalist interview?

Ann de Ron

A journalist calls you out of the blue... What now?
In this interactive lunch talk, you will learn practical techniques to approach media interviews with clarity and confidence.
Explore past talks and blogs.
Catch up on inspiring lunch talks and panel discussions, and dive deeper through blogs by our speakers.
I’m Daniëlle, Project Manager of the SciComm Academy. Would you like to present your project in a Lunch Talk, have an idea for a topic, or just want to know more about the SciComm Academy? Feel free to reach out!