Nanosciences Live in Science Centres and Museums

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

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

• Dialogue
• Nanotechnology
• Public Engagement
• Public Understanding of Research
• Science Centres
• Science Museums

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-NMP - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

• NMP-2008-1.1-2 - Support to outreach and communication in nanotechnology

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-NMP-2008-CSA-2
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

CSA-SA - Support actions

Coordinator

Participants (13)