Started in 2013, the Forum for Science Communication (FFF) is an annual conference aimed at science communicators, researchers, journalists as well as those active or interested in science communication.
FFF has developed into the largest Nordic conference for those working in science communication. The aim of the conference is to provide participants with inspiration, new knowledge about tools and methods for science communication and the opportunity to network and exchange experiences with others.
The objectives are:
- to strengthen society’s understanding and interest in research and the scientific process,
- to promote dialogue and collaboration between researchers and wider society,
- to ensure that research findings are utilised for the benefit of society.
Forum for Science Communication 2024
The conference was held on 27 November in Stockholm (and online) and attracted close to 500 participants. The theme was “Mission: Democracy”, and we highlighted different perspectives on the role of science communication and public engagement in strengthening democracy and building trust in society in a time of knowledge resistance, fake news and misinformation. We also discussed the role of the science communications officer, the increased demand on the professional role, the impact of AI and how we can strengthen exchange and cooperation between communicators, researchers, the media and the surrounding society. Find out more about the conference and watch the recordings (in Swedish).
Forum for Science Communication Hall of Fame
Inaugurated in 2024, the Forum for Science Communication’s Hall of Fame is a new annual honorary prize celebrating outstanding contributions to science communication. It recognises individuals who have significantly advanced the field over time, both in practice and as a research discipline, enhancing its prominence in Sweden and internationally.
The first award in 2024 was presented to Professor Carl Johan Sundberg of Karolinska Institutet at the annual conference in Stockholm.
Researchers’ Grand Prix competition 2024
Prior to the conference, in the afternoon of November 26, the finals of the national Researchers’ Grand Prix competition was run. The Researchers Grand Prix is a show where researchers from all over the country compete in presenting their research most captivating, inspiring and educational way possible – in just four minutes! This year’s Researcher’s Grand Prix was won by Luís Oliveira, a PhD student at the Stem Cell Centre at Lund University. The competing researchers – finalists are judged by the audience and an expert jury on the simplicity, engagement, and clarity of their presentations. The winner Luís Oliveira, described his research as a battle between good and evil, where he works to “hack” cancer cells and turn them into something benign. After the competition, he was inundated with questions from upper secondary school students in the audience.
The Forum for Science Communication 2024 is organised by the non-profit organisation Public & Science Sweden (Vetenskap & Allmänhet) together with the research councils Forte, the Swedish Research Council and Vinnova, as well as Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Knowledge Foundation, the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (RJ), and the University Alliance Stockholm Trio.
From 2013-2021, the Forum for Science Communication was run as a part of the International Science Festival in Gothenburg.