Use of science journalism to communicate the research developed by the Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, in the Biology Institute of the University of Campinas

• Grant number: 18/06805-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: January 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Alves da Silva Mori
• Grantee: Sarah Azoubel Lima
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Coordenadoria de Centros e Núcleos Disciplinares (COCEN). Núcleo de Desenvolvimento da Criatividade (NUDECRI), Brazil

Abstract

Brazilians are very interested in science. Still, the country has few science communication initiatives that create quality scientific content that is readily available, and easily understood. To address this problem, the country needs specialized science journalists, who are capable of filling the gap between scientists and society. The Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, in the Biology Institute of the University of Campinas (Unicamp), has gained recognition for the quality and relevance of its research. However, the department does not yet have a coordinated strategy of science communication. Thus, my goals are: 1) To publish articles and podcasts about the research done in the institution; 2) To make a website for the department's science communication efforts, and start a culture of public interaction. To this end, I will coordinate a group of students and professors who are interested in communicating science. The strategies proposed here aim to broaden the reach of the research developed in the department. Better communication can have a positive effect in the institution's relationship with the public, the press, industry, and the scientific community.