Objective
"The NANOTOTOUCH proposal aims to create innovative environments for the broad public to learn about and to discuss nano research by directly involving the actors of research themselves. We propose to do this by taking the laboratory environment and the research work out of enclosed academic campuses and relocating them right in the midst of the public in science museums and science centres. Three science museums and three science centres will closely cooperate with local university partners to create three permanent Open Nano Lab locations (in Munich, Milan and Gothenburg) and three Nano Researcher Live areas (in Mechelen, Tartu and Naples). In these places the visitors will experience “live” the day-to-day practices and processes of nano research conducted by young scientists. This peer-to-peer dialogue on an equal basis between lay public and nano-researchers not only creates a bidirectional feedback, it also minimises the expert-to-lay bias (“top-down"" approach) inherent present science communication processes with authoritative top researchers. In order to prepare the young scientists for this novel method of communication, NANOTOTOUCH also includes a strong communication skills training component. NANOTOTOUCH will also establish new role models for choosing science as a career: young adults thinking of entering science will be able to discuss various aspects with young researchers who themselves made this decision recently, whilst upcoming researchers will learn that communication is a self-evident part of their professional identity. Thus, NANOTOTOUCH pushes science communication to its extreme, merging communication and research in a powerful way and responding to the need for more transparency and accessibility in science. Furthermore, the strong synergetic network approach of the project enables contents and models to be developed for further distribution and implementation in educational and scientific communities."
Keywords
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
FP7-NMP-2008-CSA-2
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
CSA-SA - Support actionsCoordinator
80538 Munchen
Germany
See on map
Participants (13)
Participation ended
80539 MUNCHEN
See on map
20123 Milano
See on map
20122 Milano
See on map
40020 Goeteborg
See on map
412 96 Goteborg
See on map
2800 Mechelen
See on map
2000 Antwerpen
See on map
51004 Tartu
See on map
51005 Tartu
See on map
80124 Napoli
See on map
00185 Roma
See on map
80333 Muenchen
See on map
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
See on map