Project Concept

The relationship between science and journalism hasn’t always been easy: there are few opportunities for real dialogue, lack of a common language, perhaps even a little prejudice.

As a result, there are countless wasted opportunities for both science and society as a whole!
To clear these hurdles, RELATE is sending 80 journalism students, from a EU institute, to visit research labs across Europe.

Funded by the EU, the project brings scientists face to face with next generation journalists, who will then ‘relate’ their experiences, producing balanced accounts of the benefits and impacts of various scientific fields. Two core research institutions (ENEA and EPFL), complemented by the national research agency of Turkey (TÜBITAK) acting as a ‘gateway’ to Turkish laboratories. The young journalists will produce articles, audio and video productions aimed at the general public.

They  ‘make sense of science’, while remaining true to principles of good journalism!

RELATE for the journalists:

• To enhance dialogue between researchers and journalists to start professional relationships
• To give guidelines for future researchers and future journalists on how to hold each other in high esteem for the benefit of society
• To give editors stories and articles for publications, radio or TV programs, produced after a  unique experience
• To set up partnership with EU laboratories dealing with current European issues

RELATE for the researchers:

• To set up new channels and chances of collaboration with media and journalists;
• To give guidelines for future researchers and future journalists on how to hold each other in high esteem for the benefit of society
• To induce researchers in being more confident on the capability of journalists to communicate science
• New labs can take part in the initiative and host journalists for 1 week. This experimental approach should ‘test the water’ for similar initiatives in the future.

RELATE organises a final workshop in January 2011 with researchers and journalists, media, European Commission representatives and others stakeholders to present and debate on the project results. Interested in participating? Please, write us an e-mail!