Projects

Much of VA’s work is carried out in project form, including public engagement activities, studies as well as advocacy work.

March for Science 2017.

Public engagement projects involve organising events which stimulate dialogue between researchers and the public in new ways and in novel arenas. VA also carries out studies and surveys with the aim of increasing knowledge about the relationships between science and society at large.

Public engagement projects:

• AllThings.bioPRO – bioeconomy serious game

• European Researchers’ Night – the annual European science festival. VA is the national co-ordinator in Sweden.

• Finding The Vasa Cannons

• Get wise on food waste  – A Citizen Science project about food waste

• Science Cafés – a way to discuss science in a relaxed and informal setting

• Science communication toolbox 

– The toolbox aims to provide inspiration and ideas for a variety of activities to communicate research. The starting point is activities organised during the annual Swedish European Researchers’ Night event.

• Media seminars for scientists

• What is science? – an animated film project

Past European projects:

  • 2WAYS – an EU project to test new forms of disseminating knowledge about life science research
  • ComScience – an EU project to test new forms of dialogue and communication about public health research
  • European Student Parliaments on Science – a European project involving pupils working closely with scientists. VA ran the Swedish Parliament in Stockholm.

Studies:

VA carries out studies and surveys with the aim of increasing knowledge about the relationships between science and society at large as well as more specific studies into societal groups such as journalists, teachers and the business community:

• The public

• Teachers

  • School meets Science was a three-year project investigating how schools view research and their contact with researchers.

• Media

• International studies

• Business community

• Politicians

• Researchers

• Young people

Advocacy and development work:

• ARCS – Building a Swedish national portal for citizen science

• EU-Citizen.Science – Developing a European platform for citizen science

• Falling Walls Engage Hub Sweden – international network connecting Nordic-Baltic science engagement practitioners with the world.

• The News Evaluator – Source criticism in digital media

• ORION – An EU project about Open Science

• RETHINK – An EU project aiming to ”rethink” science communication

• Super MoRRI – An EU project aiming to develop and improve methods for measuring activities within RRI (responsible research and innovation).

• TechEthos – An EU project exploring the ethical challenges and societal consequences of new and emerging technologies.

• Youcount – An EU project about developing new ways to increase social inclusion of young people.

Past projects include:

  • Smedpack – A collaborative project to develop an improved supply chain for medicines

If you would like to learn more about VA’s projects, please contact:

Cissi Askwall, Secretary General of VA