MINGLING & changing: critical & TOGETHER

LET'S REINVENT IT: Istvan Palugyai reporting on how to brush up the constitution (c) EUSJA
LET’S REINVENT IT: Istvan Palugyai reporting on how to brush up the constitution (c) EUSJA

For more than four decades EUSJA has been the hub of European science journalism. High time for a thorough checkup. President Satu Lipponen invited members to a strategy day. 30 science journalists from throughout the continent met the day before the ESOF 2014 opening at Carlsberg’s Academy in Kopenhagen for a brainy exchange.

In these rooms Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg met in 1941. Whether their encounter about nuclear energy has changed history remains a matter of speculation. The famous site, spacious conservatories, beautiful gardens had a highly inspiring effect.

Satu and Reetta: chairing through the EUSJA strategy day (c) EUSJA
Satu and Reetta: chairing through the EUSJA strategy day (c) EUSJA

Reetta Kettunen, co-moderator of the event, had the EUSJA journalists in five working groups reflect the future of the association. As she and Satu pointed out, it was a visionary expedition into the future with the request: think out of the box. The real work begins now. Until the next General Assembly in spring 2015 the recommendations will be broken down to a package of concrete measures.

Inspiring environment for the strategy process: Carlsberg Academy
Inspiring environment for the strategy process: Carlsberg Academy

As many groups reported back in the wrap-up: EUSJA’s unique profile around science journalism needs to be sharpened. A code of ethics needs to be defined in times which observe a flood of PR-driven journalism. At the same time, real science journalism is a dream profession of many young people.

This needs to be catered for, e.g. with practical trainings, implemented during EUSJA’s popular study trips. This professional enhancement could focus on hand-on examples which are reviewed by seasoned practitioners. As the Norwegian colleague reported her country applies this model very successfully.

After this EUSJA strategy day, the tool box is full with new methods how to go about fundraising, stakeholder communication, journalistic formats. Crossborder stories about research, as proposed by proposed by Dino Trescher could create a new type of unique European science journalism.


Posted

in

, ,

by

Tags: