Science Communication & Education

'Promoting quality communication of Artificial Intelligence: insights from an AI research project' is the focus of VIU presentation at AISCICOMM24, the research conference on 'Science Communication in the age of AI' coordinated by prof. Mike Shäfer, University of Zurich, on stage June 6-7 at ETH. 

The presentation is based on insights from MUHAI project where VIU is leading the communication and dissemination activities.

Venice International University, Sept. 7-8, 2025

What is the public perception of Artificial Intelligence? How can we build awareness of what AI agents are and how they work? And how can we communicate these complex topics to the broader public?

At Venice International University, N-ODES is an interactive installation of sound and light that invites the public to a shared dialogue with a swarm of “intelligent spheres.” Powered by evolutionary algorithms, the system generates an immersive, ever-evolving experience shaped by the dynamic interaction between the participant and the artificial entities. The installation functions as both an artistic expression and a living research environment, aligned with the art-and-science and human-centric artificial intelligence approach that has increasingly distinguished VIU’s work in this field.

Establishing a European Competence Centre for Science Communication and an associated Science Communication Academy is the goal of the COALESCE project. 

COALESCE wants to gather and consolidate existing science communication knowledge, resources and tools from a variety of sources, while engaging science communication stakeholders in a co-creating process as well as in validating the Competence Centre’s products for their respective needs.

To achieve this objective, COALESCE aims to build and engage Communities of knowledge and Practice in science communication (CoPs).

We invite all researchers, science-communication professionals, journalists, policymakers, citizens, industry professionals – among other actors – to be part of our community of practice, where you will have the opportunity to be engaged in mutual learning, co-creation activities, training and be part of building the future European Competence Centre for Science Communication.

Please register here in the COALESCE Communities of Practice (CoPs) so that we can actively involve you in the activities.

March 23-27, 2026 | 3rd Edition

Call for applications: December 2, 2025 - January 15, 2026

As the MUHAI project approaches its final phase, with completion set for March 2025, the focus shifts to evaluating its impact and charting future directions in human-centric AI research.

The 3-day meeting, hosted at Venice International University (VIU) from September 12-14, will delve into these critical topics. 

COALESCE-EUPRIO Spring School for Communication Officers - 2nd edition 

Venice International University, through its Science Communication unit, organizes an intensive Spring School open to Communication Officers from EUPRIO, the association of higher education communicators in Europe. The Spring School is proposed in the framework of the European Competence Centre for Science Communication that COALESCE project is establishing, as part of its Training offer.

The 2026 edition is devoted to INTERNAL COMMUNICATION: FROM STRATEGY TO POLICY with the goal to identify and overcome communication challenges within higher education institutions, to support and encourage change processes.  

The School is based on Introductory Talks, Mutual-learning Labs and practical Tools, with sessions offered by experts joining both from COALESCE and EUPRIO network.  

The School provides

• Cutting-edge strategies for exploring internal communication issues
• Practical tools for addressing and developing internal communication policies and strategies

Objectives

• Clarify aims, priorities of internal communication processes
• Manage tensions and expectations
• Create a platform for participants to share problems and experiences
• Support effective internal communication 
• Provide tools and strategies for managing internal communication

Program available here.

For further information
Alessandra Fornetti: alessandra.fornetti@univiu.org

Organized in cooperation with 

'SciComm Conversations' is the official Podcast series of COALESCE project, regularly issued on all platforms since March 2024. 

In this first season of SciComm Conversations, the Podcast episodes focus on the topic of Science Communication in the age of artificial intelligence. 

Each episode explores roles, opportunities and challenges of dealing with and using AI in different domains, such as in education, in communication of science and research, and more widely in engaging with the publics. 

Distinguished international speakers are invited by COALESCE team to address the different perspectives of Science Communication in the age of artificial intelligence. 

Please refer COALESCE podcast page for the full list and complete transcript of the different episodes. 

All podcasts are available in the main platforms: just search for “SciComm Conversations” in your apps! 

Course for PhD students of the University of Padua

Second edition, February-March 2025. Padova, Room RL, Vallisneri Complex

The course is open to PhD students from all departments (2nd year on) of the University of Padua, to develop the necessary awareness, knowledge and skills to effectively communicate research to different audiences and through different media.

Composed of two modules and based on weekly 3-hour classes in person in Padua, the course offers an overview of the key principles of communication of research, including aims, publics and impact, and a series of Lab meetings, exploring skills as storytelling, visual communication, social media and journalism. 

The course is developed in cooperation with the University of Padua in the framework of its Third Mission and allows PhDs to get 2 CFU with 70% attendance. 

Program available here.

For further information
Alessandra Fornetti: alessandra.fornetti@univiu.org

https://www.unipd.it/dottorato/insegnamenti-trasversali 

Organized in cooperation with 

November 4-5, 2020
Online workshop

FETFX, in collaboration with QUEST project – Quality and Effectiveness in Science and Technology communication – is organizing an online workshop on Emerging technologies in science journalism that will take place online on November 4-5.

Are you an artist passionate about sustainability? 

The S+T+ARTS4WATERII Residencies call is now open for applications till June 26!

Check the call in the official website of S+T+ARTS 4 Water II project, and follow the guideline.

After two years of research, co-design sessions, data collection, analysis, writing, designing, and finally publishing our tools and reports, the QUEST Horizon 2020 project has come to its end.

QUEST has released several reports and tools, meant to support quality science communication.

The Toolkits, the Handbook for museum communicators, and the Factsheets based on QUEST policy and incentive recommendations are QUEST's latest outputs. Read more about them below.

What policy can support science communication? What incentives can be put in place in research, journalism or museums? What role for university governance?
This will be discussed at the workshop led by Alessandra Fornetti and Ilda Mannino at the Italian National Conference of Science Communication which is back at Sissa in Trieste after 8 years.