FCUP Hosts Round Table on Science Communication

On 15 April, the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP) hosted the round table “Para além do Laboratório: A descoberta de um caminho em Comunicação de Ciência” at its library, bringing together science communication professionals, including Native Scientists, to reflect on challenges and opportunities in the field.

Moderated by Programme & Training Manager Margarida Morim, the session gathered professionals working across science communication and academic training. Joana Moscoso, our Executive Director, represented Native Scientists as one of the invited speakers, alongside Júlio Borlido, Communications Unit Director at i3S; Áurea Ramos, Image and Communication Lead at FCUP; and Paulo Simeão, Professor at the Science Learning Unit at FCUP. 

The two-hour discussion focused on the growing relevance of communicating science beyond the laboratory. While science communication often remains a less visible component of scientific training, particularly in experimental fields, it is increasingly recognised as essential for connecting scientific knowledge with society and broadening career possibilities for students. Throughout the discussion, speakers reflected on their professional journeys, the obstacles encountered when pursuing science communication, and the opportunities that arise from interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Among the various topics, the importance of defining audiences and adapting communication strategies emerged as a key theme. Joana Moscoso noted: “As there are many ways of cooking codfish, there are many ways of communicating science.” She explained that open days often fail to reach those who are not already interested in science, stressing the need to actively seek underserved communities.

Paulo Simeão agreed, highlighting that science communication “should be simple”. He shared a real-life example: “My son went to an open day and one of the stands was about magnetic induction. They told him about how, according to Faraday’s Law, a time-varying magnetic field induces an electromotive force. My son was 10. And was told they couldn’t explain it any other way. And this is the problem. Explaining science like only geniuses can understand it.”

By contributing to conversations such as this, Native Scientists continues to advocate for stronger connections between science and society. The event concluded with an open discussion with the audience, because good communication only works if it is a two-way street.