Communicating research in a creative way
The team behind the science event “Münster's knowledge freshly tapped” has received a “prize for the promotion of science communication” which was awarded for the first time by the University Society of Münster (Universitätsgesellschaft Münster). In order to promote exchange between researchers from Münster University and citizens, the group organises exciting lectures on various research topics in bars and pubs in Münster – once a year on several consecutive evenings, always at two parallel locations, and there are talks in German as well as in English.
Four junior scientists from the Cells in Motion Interfaculty Centre initiated the project in 2017 and built it up together with a full-time science communicator from their research network. Since then, four other colleagues from biomedicine and psychology have joined the team. Together, they want to provide people with insights into the research happening in their city – and offer researchers from various scientific fields the opportunity to tell the public what is behind their research and how important and exciting it is. At the same time, the project is an opportunity for the junior scientists involved to try out new scopes of duties and to learn skills in science communication and project management.
The team from “Münster’s knowledge freshly tapped” shares the prize, endowed with a total of 10,000 euros, with another award winner at Münster University, archaeologist Stefan Klatt. In addition, behavioural biologist Prof Dr Norbert Sachser was awarded a special prize. “The prize winners have succeeded in communicating their excellent research to the general public in a comprehensible, creative and sustainable way. This is an outstanding achievement, and we are delighted to be able to honour it with our new award,” emphasised Dr Paul-Josef Patt, Chairman of the University Society, at the award ceremony which was attended by approximately 140 guests.