IGC exchange program to EMBL

Ana Morais, Head of Institutional Communication at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) and SymbNET Communication Work Package leader visited EMBL for an exchange program to strengthen collaboration among the institutions.

EMBL is part of SymbNET, a European network for research on host-microbe symbiosis, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, and coordinated by FCG-IGC. The SymbNET network involves all research groups and units of the five participating institutions, including communications.

“Exchange of talent, ideas and expertise with our partner institutions and collaborators across our member states is at the heart of EMBL´s international mission. We are always very happy to welcome new and existing collaborators, to discuss with them, share our experience and plan for the future,” said Plamena Markova, head of EMBL International Relations.

Ana Morais visited EMBL explicitly to exchange on joint science communication challenges, best practice, and noteworthy experiences with the EMBL Communications, Science Education and Public Engagement, and Alumni Relations teams.

The 3 days visit allowed discussions in eight different sessions going from strategies and concepts to detailed technical and operational topics, covering questions like: what are the most impactful media channels for science comms? How do you measure the impact of the outreach activities? How do you manage the Alumni community database? How can we promote our science outside our country? Do you give media training to the scientists?

“EMBL has communication officers at all sites, which provides valuable, close-up input regarding national comms and media differences. Additionally, it is very important to broaden our own horizon and see what is going on beyond EMBL lines,” said Terry O´Connor, EMBL Head of Communication. “Our partnering institutes, which are very much devoted to communicating their science to a broader audience just as we are, offer valuable insights to many of our every-day challenges from their perspectives. It was a great pleasure to have Ana at EMBL Heidelberg.”

“I´d like to thank everyone at EMBL for an inspiring visit and for the opportunity to share experiences. We´ll definitely stay in touch and find best ways to collaborate in the future” added Ana Morais.