Communicating and exchanging scientific knowledge is more important than ever. It helps us address challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and the digital transformation within a world of complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change.

In its different forms, science communication and public engagement are essential to building bridges between communities and amplifying the impact of science and technology. Without doubt, the COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the critical value of science. But also the challenges associated with communicating uncertainties and unknowns in public. Balancing facts and values continue to be a major challenge, and one that will continue to occupy practitioners and scholars of science communication moving beyond the pandemic.

This one-day conference takes stock of current trends and best practices of how to communicate science to policymakers and citizens, and to include science communication activities within collaborative, interdisciplinary research programmes. The conference presents the results of the COST CCA on Science Communication and explores practical solutions for integrating science communication more broadly within the European eco-system of science and innovation. The conference addresses the following questions:

• What have we learned about the importance of science communication during the pandemic?
• What should the European institutions and Member States do to amplify the impact of science communication in a post-pandemic world?
• What are best practices for including science communication activities within interdisciplinary funding programmes?

Inspiration for the discussions at the workshop will be provided by two invited keynote speakers: Professor Roger Pielke, Jr, teaches and writes at the University of Colorado Boulder. His work focuses on a range of policy and governance issues related to science, technology, environment, innovation, and sports. Professor Liselotte Højgaard works on basic, translational, and clinical research at University of Copenhagen, and serves as a Member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council.

Key takeaways from the conference will be included and summarized in a conference statement The Copenhagen Declaration on Science Communication in Europe, which will be published later in the Summer of 2022.

Programme

09:00-09:30	Registration and refreshments
09:30-10:00	Welcome by Johan Frederik Mau, National Contact Point for COST Association, Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education Introduction from Prof. Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Quebec, President of International Network of Governmental Science Advice (INGSA). Introduction from Conference Chair David Budtz Pedersen, Professor of Science Communication, Aalborg University Copenhagen, COST CCA Chair.
10:00-11:00	Keynote by Roger Pielke Jr., Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder: "Science Communication in a Pandemic Emergency and Beyond”
11:00-12:30	Roundtable discussion 1: “Protecting the integrity of science communication”. What are the challenges of science communication today, and what steps should be taken to protect the independence and integrity of science communicators?” What are the key enablers and barriers for securing the independence and integrity of science communicators across society? Scientists are increasingly asked for testimony and direction to shape policies and public opinion. At the same time, knowledge is changing at a startling pace. How can scientists communicate openly about uncertainties and unknowns in the public? The pandemic has shown that the need for scientists to engage in public dialogue has never been greater. At the same time, misinformation and distrust thrives in digital networks. How can the research community amplify democratic debates? Panelists: Laura Webb (UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology), Alessandro Allegra (DG Research, EU Scientific Advice Mechanism), Catherine Simoneau (EU Joint Research Centre), Jens Degett (Science Stories).
12:30-13:30	Lunch
13:30-14:30	Roundtable discussions 2: “How to integrate science communication activities in interdisciplinary mission-oriented research and innovation programmes”? How should future funding call be designed and worded to better enable the integration of science communication from the beginning of the research cycle? What are best practices for integrating science communication in large-scale research practices and mission-oriented research programmes? What are the take-aways from current projects on science communication in Europe? How can the community of science communicators create dialogue with research funders to stimulate greater and more effective integration of science communication in interdisciplinary research? Panelists: Cissi Askwall (Vetenskap & Allmänhet), Annette Klinkert (EUSEA), Peter Hyldgård (Royal Danish Academy of Science and Letters).
14:30-15:00	Coffee
15:00-15:30	Keynote by Liselotte Højgaard (TBC), Professor of Medicine and Technology, University of Copenhagen, Member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council: “The Indispensable Role and Impact of Science Communication for Societal Well-Being”
15:30-16:00	Wrap-up and concluding remarks by conference chair Prof. David Budtz Pedersen
16:00-17:00	Reception