issue 92 autumn 2012

NEWSLETTER : CONTENTS >>>

David Charles - English Science Making sense of science cities Cities: A new phase in science-based urban strategy? page 03 By Richard Tuffs, Director, European of interest to cities and science communication Regions Research and Innovation actors. Although the PLACES project already Ari Huczkowski - Science: Agent of economic development in Otaniemi involves over seventy cities across Europe, the Network (ERRIN), Brussels, Belgium page 05 third conference of PLACES, which will take place This edition of the Ecsite newsletter opens up a in Turin, Italy, in June 2013 will also be open to Ernesto Páramo - Granada’s science discussion on science cities and cities of scientific other cities and science communication actors city journey culture. As more and more cities develop science that contribute to the concept of a science city or page 07 centres and science museums and organise local a city of scientific culture2. science festivals, more research is examining the Listings reasons for such developments, how they are When designating six Science Cities in England in page 08 financed, and how their performance is evaluated. 2004, the UK government noted that “ ...In a These questions were, in fact, raised during the global economy, the UK’s ability to compete News from Ecsite first conference of the European project PLACES1 depends on our ability to exploit our excellent page 10 which seeks to define cities of scientific culture science base and capture the benefits of and examine the key criteria needed to develop innovation...”. The six Science Cities were to and define such cities. encourage more business investment in research Courses, conferences, competitions page 12 and development, direct research to the needs of This newsletter has invited three contributors from industry and help develop the science and different parts of Europe to shed light on the technology skills needed for a knowledge concept of science cities and we hope this will be economy.

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Next issue: Space exploration

Birmingham: One of England’s six original Science Cities 01 SCIENCE CITIES

The Science City movement is not new and had fertile contacts between 5,000 researchers all been mirrored in some ways by the German within a campus and high-tech industrial park Science City and Science Years initiatives. Science where everyone is a 15-minute walk away. Year 2009 was the tenth and a very special The Otaniemi/Espoo example is all about a Science Year, coinciding with the 60th anniversary strategy to promote physical infrastructure on a of the Federal Republic and the 20th anniversary greenfield site whose goal is encouraging of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This opened the proximity and critical mass to stimulate opportunity to show how science and research research and innovation. policymaking at the regional and local levels. have shaped society and prosperity in Germany The Helsinki and Granada models clearly and illustrated a shift on two fronts: first, from The need for a physical contact point is also illustrate this strategy. The Helsinki example enticing younger people into science to a apparent in the article from Ernesto Páramo, on has its roots in a top-down model, while stronger focus on understanding scientific Parque de las Ciencias, (Science Museum and Granada is more bottom-up, but their processes and technology, and second, shifting Park) in Granada, Spain. Here the emphasis is respective successes can be explained in part from the transfer of knowledge to encouraging on embedding science in a peripheral Spanish by a clear strategy involving multiple farther-reaching dialogue between science and city which, according to Páramo, is more stakeholders over a long period coupled with society3. accustomed to art and poetry than hard resource investment. It will be interesting to science. The success of the Granada project, note if all the English Science Cities stay the which began in 1990, bears witness to the course after losing their development agency need to build strong partnerships and use support and their funding base in the UK’s Defining science cities these relationships to leverage incoming recent regional reforms. The UK is a good example of top-down thinking resources. In the case of Granada, there is also and a choice of six cities in the less developed a strong partnership with citizens; Parque de regions of England (the cities excluded London, las Ciencias’ 15,000 annual entrance pass Cambridge and Oxford) in order to stimulate holders and over 500,000 yearly visitors far the knowledge-driven economy. All six Science exceeds the number estimated (100,000) Cities continue to find life more difficult since during the centre’s formative years. the abolition of regional development agencies in England by the new coalition government. In The success of the science park comes in part this newsletter, David Charles gives us a short from its willingness to build a broad coalition 1 http://www.openplaces.eu/ overview of their activities, arguing that the six across the city and surrounding regions. This 2 For more information, contact [email protected] Science Cities have adapted to local contexts has led to collaborations with other high-tech 3 See the recent judgement in the Aquila case which and strategies. initiatives such as the Health Technology Park. has sparked front page news and editorials regarding These steps are what contribute to Granada’s the advice of Italian scientists on the prediction of an The Finnish example from Ari Huczkowski clout as a science city. earthquake at Aquila in Italy. describes what we might term a ‘science Juliette Kayyem in an International Herald Tribune suburb’ and also illustrates a top-down vision, These three examples from the west, north and editorial argued that the verdict - shocking in the eyes of many in the scientific community - ‘...should be this time linked to a planning and architectural south of Europe are testament to science cities’ understood as a celebration of science. Society has come process based on the concept of proximity as power as municipal and regional economic to believe that science can help citizens make an enricher of science, research and the development agents propelled by research, judgements... society has come to accept the value of innovation paradigm. development and innovation. The science city evidence and deduction...’(26 October 2012). can play a strong role in uniting the people 4 http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/archive/policy/future/ The concept of ‘place-based innovation’ has who, in their collaboration, are the engines of barca_en.htm been supported by leading economists in innovation. “First, any policy for innovation needs to be place- Europe such as Barca4 in Italy with his based. By definition, the knowledge base on which interventions need to be built is local, and the natures of influential report on structural funds and One thing is clear from the three examples: the economic institutions that must be enhanced are regional development (2009), and more success is not a short-term venture. Just as the also strongly linked to places. In tackling unused recently with the Knowledge for Growth great universities of Europe have been built innovative potential, the first step to make is capacity economists led by Dominique Foray,5 who over centuries, so too do science cities need building, both through the training of people and through the promotion of new institutions. Capacity developed the theoretical underpinnings of time to develop strategies and policies. This is building must be geared to places and it must be given ‘smart specialisation’ strategies for regions. where the European project PLACES comes in. adequate time to produce results, as well as being These ideas will be guiding principles for all PLACES involves the Ecsite, Eusea and ERRIN continuously monitored. A place-based approach is the regions receiving structural funds from the networks and seeks to define cities of scientific appropriate way of doing this”. (An agenda for a reformed Cohesion Policy, April 2009, page 130) European Union from 2014-2020. culture by pinpointing the key criteria needed to develop such cities. 5 http://ec.europa.eu/invest-in-research/pdf/download_en/ selected_papers_en.pdf Huczkowski’s article describes a long lead time in developing the Otaniemi district of Espoo as PLACES specifically examines the relationship 6 www.eusea.info a suburb of Helsinki. Proximity is key to the between science and science communication 7 www.errin.eu 02 SCIENCE CITIES

English Science Cities: A new phase in science-based urban strategy?

By David Charles, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

Designating Science Cities is relatively easy, but developing and sustaining a strategy over time can be very difficult indeed. In the UK, six Science Cities were designated by central government in 2004-2005, but after eight years, and a change in government, how are they faring? The Science City initiative was something of a surprise package, almost an afterthought in Gordon Brown's (now Prime Minister of the UK) pre-budget report of late 2004. The idea was that six of England’s regions would each have a Science City to help stimulate science-based growth. London and surrounding Oxford and Science City marketing finds its way onto public transit in Newscastle, UK Cambridge were left out of the scheme as they arguably didn’t need such support and might strategies that targeted disadvantaged communities. with a large team focused on science-based already be considered global Science Cities. It has been this balance between elite science and industry and diversifying the local economy. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were also public participation that has made the experiment Bristol’s strategy is also university-led and has not included in the initiative. so interesting, especially as the economic seen a reduction in the management team. Its So the focus was on the weaker English regions; development aspect of the strategies was thrown focus is now limited to engagement and Newcastle, York and Manchester were initially into difficulties by the financial crisis and credit networking. designated as the three Northern England regions, crunch just as they were starting to make progress. Birmingham also had to cut back on activity and linked to a pan-regional Northern Way strategy to The biggest challenge, however, came with a change reduce the size of the management team, but is regenerate their economies. A few months later of government and the subsequent abolition of the focused on attracting new investment through these were joined by Birmingham, Nottingham, regional development agencies which were the main local alliances. and Bristol in the Midlands and South West. sponsors of Science Cities. Although replaced by new Newcastle has also had to cut back on its The strategy was explicitly about regional local bodies, these lacked the budgets running into strategy, but has funds for three years from the development - as the regional development hundreds of millions of pounds that the regional city council and university to lead the coordination agencies were asked to take the lead - using their development agencies had managed. The loss of this of economic development initiatives of a major investment in innovation to support the cities. major source of public investment came at the city centre property scheme and a strong However, each city took its own approach in crucial time when the cities needed to kick start community and education programme. establishing a leadership group, creating a local growth-oriented policies, in many cases, with big The Science City experiment in England has partnership and developing a strategy reflecting capital investment plans. helped to raise the profile of science in each of local strengths, needs and interests. So how have the Science Cities responded? Have the cities concerned, both in putting science- At the outset the Science Cities initiative was their strategies survived? Only Manchester’s plans based business firmly on the economic intended to be somewhat elitist with one city ended after Manchester Knowledge Capital, which development agenda, but also by enhancing designated per region and a vision that each city ran the Science City initiative, closed in 2011. public engagement with science. Considerable should be a magnet for science-based investment. However, innovation remains a key element of effort has been spent on developing new Consequently, most focused on developing new New Economy, the new body supporting economic approaches to bring science to the general public business quarters for high tech industry and better development in Greater Manchester. All the other and raising awareness among young people. links to a growing science base - clearly this was very five Science Cities survive to varying degrees. The effects of Science Cities are so far uncertain much in Brown’s mind from the beginning. These Nottingham is moving forward under the because effort has been focussed on long-term cities were intended to become new hubs of leadership of the universities and is targeting projects - especially in the community arena, and innovation in their regions. However through their growth in science-based industries through to property developments which have been implementation, the Science Cities also became more specific sites, but also has a strong education and delayed by the economic crisis - but foundations focused on spreading the benefits of science, making community programme. for the future have been laid and their sturdiness links with other parts of their regions, and several York already had a Science City partnership in will depend on the enthusiasm of city and developed strong education and public engagement advance of its official designation and continues university decision-makers. 03

SCIENCE CITIES

Science: Agent of economic development in Otaniemi

By Ari Huczkowski, CEO of Otaniemi.fi, MScEcon, Espoo,

Otaniemi hitech hub, which nowadays is Northern Europe’s largest high technology and innovation concentration zone, hasn’t always enjoyed this title. The first step toward Otaniemi becoming a hub of science and innovation came when the Finnish government moved Helsinki University of Technology (Finland’s foremost technical university) from Helsinki city center to Otaniemi Manor house estate in the 1940s. Otaniemi is a two-by-two kilometer peninsula seven Big ideas are born in Otaniemi: Proximity is a key component of any innovation breeding ground kilometers west of Helsinki, in the city of Espoo - Finland’s second biggest city. Otaniemi and Espoo critical mass from a multitude of different launched 1 January 2010. Public and private are now part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. paradigms, the outcomes of those spontaneous partners have already begun pouring 4 billion euros Architect Alvar Aalto, former professor of encounters aren’t of high quality. of investment, over a ten-year period, into the architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Everything revolves around science in Otaniemi. If Otaniemi - T3 area. Technology (MIT), designed the campus plan with Aalto University professor Esko Kauppinen’s group an American-style layout where dormitories, lecture wasn’t capable of producing the world’s best halls, laboratories, sports grounds - everything - is carbon nanotube thinfilms with their leading sheet Bottom-up culture within walking distance. resistance, their articles wouldn’t be regularly Innovation cannot originate from the top down. It’s Then came the state research institute of Finland published in Nature. And if prominent Finnish absolutely vital that suitable cultural dimensions be (VTT) which is now Northern Europe’s largest researcher Professor Teuvo Kohonen hadn’t done at work in the innovation environment. applied research institute which has over 2,000 his groundbreaking research in artificial neural The World Economic Forum 2011-2012 Global researchers inside the Otaniemi campus. Add to this networks in the 1970s, artificial intelligence as we Competitiveness Report (www.weforum.org/reports) over 20 other research institutions, general know it today wouldn’t be quite the same shows that the seven most innovative nations on universities, and universities of applied science (Kohonen algorithms). this planet share similar cultural dimensions: Low located in Otaniemi, and you have over 5,000 Without world class science, the next step - which is power distances, high degree of individuality, researchers within walking distance. applied research - wouldn’t be of such high quality. relatively high uncertainty avoidance, and relatively There are now over 800 companies in Otaniemi, Without world class applied research put forward short term orientation. Not surprisingly, it is from including several world headquarters and over 100 by the state research institute of Finland, the Super these nations that bottom-up movements such as foreign companies’ local offices or local headquarters. Computer Center, the Helsinki Institute of Linux, MySQL, Apache, Perl/PHP, Aalto As a result, there are 110 different nationalities Information Technology, Geological Survey of Entrepreneurship Society, Android Aalto, Mobile working and studying in this science district. And Finland, Center of Metrology, and others, then Monday - to name a few - have emerged. within 15 minutes you’ll find over 8,000 companies wouldn’t be able commercialize world Otaniemi and Finland are happy to have been the information and communications technology (ICT) class innovation. starting place for many of them. companies and more than 12,000 knowledge Espoo, with powerful Otaniemi inside it, uses The evidence shows that in order to create intensive business services (KIBS) companies with science as an economic and development tool. The innovative science cities attention must be paid to an enormous amount of high value-adding jobs - city’s entire strategy is based on the T3 philosophy the grassroots level. Top-down should encourage representing over 50 percent of Finland’s national derived from three Finnish words: Tiede (science bottom-up movements. resources in ICT and KIBS. and technology), Taide (art and design), Talous Authentic innovation ecosystems are born when (economy and business). top-down and bottom-up meet half way. Through the Otaniemi district, the city of Espoo is Innovation ecosystems evolve and they’re organic - The proximity principle able to mix and blend science, art and business. and most importantly, they cannot be borne from a What a brilliant move to concentrate so much brain These three elements are the foundation of top-down model. However, if bottom-up power in Otaniemi. Now we all understand what Otaniemi’s Aalto University, the result of a merger movements are to be of high value, the education Henry Chesbrough underlined in his formulation of between Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki level of the people must be high, and for the open innovation theories - the principle of School of Economics and Helsinki University of environment to be able to produce high impact proximity. Without proximity it’s very difficult for Industrial Arts. The new mega university has a science-based technology and products, then spontaneous meetings to take place. And without combined history spanning 400 years and was science education must be a top priority. 05

SCIENCE CITIES

Granada’s science city journey

By Ernesto Páramo, Director, Parque de las Ciencias, Granada, Spain

Science is a relative newcomer. Humanity has lived 99 percent of its history without it and it is only recently that we are beginning to understand its advantages. Our overpopulated planet has caused us to realize that science is not optional; it is a necessity for survival. At birth we see our world as quite blurry. We need a few weeks to mature this important sense. At first it is critical for a baby to recognize the faces that approach it and gradually learn to focus better and see wider perspectives. Similarly, to “see” complex ideas also requires training - societies must learn to look in order to understand the opportunities offered Aerial view of Granada and Parque de las Ciencias at left by science. Government of Andalusia, the National Research This positive and collaborative spirit has bolstered Council (CSIC), the university and the Rural and Caja the social base of the science centre project and has Science and poetry Granada savings banks. This is an unprecedented led to convergence with the other pillars of the coexisting? alliance under the umbrella of the educational Knowledge Society in Granada which are the The case of Granada illustrates how even the community, mass media, and business - an ongoing University of Granada (UGR) and the Health greatest difficulties can be overcome if we can enterprise to add more people and social agents. Our Technology Park (PTS). socially “focus” our gaze and overcome deeply project also draws players from the artistic and The Health Technology Park is a science-based rooted clichés. literary worlds. economic endeavor led by the Andalusian Granada is a small city of 250,000 inhabitants in the After the first years, and in addition to the Government. It has 625,000 square meters devoted south of Spain - so, in the south of southern Europe. consortium’s investment, European Funds (FEDER) to three purposes: Education, health and research It has important strengths, such as its heritage (for were received, which was a strong financial and business development, with a strong focus on example, the famous fortress Alhambra), its rich injection enabling us to materialize the necessary pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food natural environment (the Sierra Nevada Mountains, infrastructure of 70,000 square meters assigned by development. The University of Granada and or the tropical coast), a strong cultural tradition (with the city. We then undertook a strategy to promote National Research Council own part of the poets such as García Lorca, musicians and artists) the socio-economic impact of the science centre Technology Park. alongside a prestigious university whose history project. Alongside the educational and cultural The University of Granada has 80,000 students, over spans five centuries. Granada is a city with benefits our centre can bring, we also 3,400 professors and instructors, and strong international scope. But it also has serious limitations demonstrated through an independent study that international connections. It is the first destination of such as high unemployment, low per capita income our museum also has economic benefits in the the Erasmus program with about 2,000 students and poor communications infrastructure. form of job creation and stimulating tourism and by each year. Its Medical and Health Sciences faculties In 1990 the project “Parque de las Ciencias” involving innovative businesses. This study was very along with Pharmacy, Sciences, and others, have (museum and science centre) began as a municipal useful for demonstrating those results with specific great reputations and research capacities. initiative which encountered initial difficulty that can figures. (Report: Andalusian Society for Economic With these pillars, we hope to be able to continue be summarized as follows: Why devote public efforts Studies, ESECA) building Granada into a Science City. It would to create a science centre in a city which is home to represent a convergence of interests, after many the arts and poetry? This discussion would require However, one of the greatest merits of Parque de las years of work, crystallizing into a common strategy more space than I have here, but it illustrates the Ciencias is its status as a creative meeting point for the future. resistance we must overcome in projects based on open to all. Along with the normal activities of a How things have changed in Granada; 20 years ago science. It is not something obvious; you must market modern museum it has become a space for debate, we were labeled unrealistic to anticipate 100,000 science as an opportunity for community progress. scientific conferences, teacher training, social events, visitors a year to a science museum in our city. We book clubs, research dissemination, a forum for presently surpass 520,000 visitors a year. Willingness, infrastructure, communication and allies: technology companies, a space for young computer We are hooked on science because we are curious These four ideas are, in my opinion, the keys to the or film creators, university activities, international mammals and deep down we know we need success of the project. The Parque de las Ciencias cooperation, and the list goes on. A good indicator science because we are fragile. Our task is to involve knew how to unite all the institutions in its of the museum’s influence in the community are the more citizens and social partners every day in this consortium - from national to local entities: The City over 15,000 people who have subscribed to an vision of science; this is, I believe, the impetus of the Council, the County Council, the Regional annual entrance pass (Tarjeta Amiga). PLACES project. 07 LISTINGS

LET’S REINVENT BRINGING THE GMO WHERE WE LIVE! DISCUSSION TO THE The question of our future housing conditions is a STREETS social and environmental challenge. Organized Research that we conducted showed that Polish around the themes of “building” and “living”, the people don’t have any information about Housing of tomorrow exhibition takes a sensitive genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Therefore look at our continuously evolving world. It will be as part of the project GENesis, the Copernicus presented at Cité des sciences et de l’industrie, a Science Centre team went beyond the science Universcience site, from 4 December 2012 to 10 centre walls and installed experimental stations in November 2013. This 400-square-meter traveling the streets of , Poland. We demonstrated exhibition will be available from winter 2014. how to distinguish a GMO soybean from an Contact: [email protected] unmodified one and talked to citizens about the www.universcience.fr importance of independent thinking about GMOs. Contact: [email protected] www.kopernik.org.pl/en/events/biotechnology/ Children explore the world at an UNAWE educational playroom

NEW NANO-LAB AT SCIENCE CITY, KOLKATA Science City, Kolkata, which is a unit of the National Council of Science Museums in India, has launched nano-scale science to the public through its new NANOLAB. This facility is a platform designed for sustainable partnerships with universities, research institutions, and individual researchers to offer nano- science activities in a do-it-yourself format for the general public while using the expertise of scientists. Contact: [email protected] Housing of tomorrow will be presented at Cité des sciences www.sciencecitykolkata.org.in et de l’industrie, in Paris, France

Experimental GMO stations in the centre of Warsaw, Poland, attracted great interest EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC IN SEVILLE The Navigation Museum in Seville, Spain, one of AN EDUCATIONAL the most emblematic pavilions of Expo 1992, is PLAYROOM OF renewing its content with a fully interactive permanent exhibition. Visitors have the chance to UNIVERSAL learn about the history of navigation through the PROPORTIONS EU-Universe Awareness (EU-UNAWE) has opened DISCOVERING SCIENCE Atlantic Ocean in an amazing experimental journey. AND TECHNOLOGY IN The exhibition, called Life aboard, is the “engine the world’s first educational playroom at Haus der room” where visitors can interact with mechanical Astronomie in Heidelberg, Germany. The room is LISBON, artifacts of the guiding devices of a ship. equipped with educational materials, including an Lisbon is packed with interesting historical, Earth ball and a carpet decorated with Moon cultural and scientific spots ready to be unveiled Contact: Boris Micka, [email protected] craters which are used for storytelling. A child’s but not typically found in tourist itineraries. Based www.gpdexpo.com early years are regarded as the most important for on this potential, the Pavilion of Knowledge - their development and education, and using an Ciência Viva developed a collection of scientific informal learning environment to teach new routes in collaboration with the city council. The scientific concepts to children has proven very guides reveal the values of the city, where history effective. Consider opening an UNAWE room in and science intertwined in areas as diverse as your science centre. gastronomy, biodiversity, engineering and geology. Contact: Pedro Russo: [email protected] Contact Sofia Lourenço: [email protected] Visitors interacting with a winch in the Life aboard room www.unawe.org www.pavconhecimento.pt 08 LISTINGS

LAIKA: A HIGH NOTE TAKING SCIENCE TO FIRST SCIENCE PICNIC IN SPACE EDUCATION THE STREET IN CROATIA DELIGHTS English Touring Opera has commissioned an Hiša eksperimentov joined the municipal initiative VISITORS opera for children aged 7 to eleven based on to revive Trubarjeva cesta (a street in Ljubljana, Aquis organized its first Science Picnic in Laika, the first dog in space. , where Hiša is located). The community Croatia, held on Sunday 16 September at Performed by four instrumentalists and four designed several activities which are taking place “Bocarski dom” park - a popular family singers, Laika the Spacedog will include music, throughout October and November 2012 wherein gathering place in Zagreb. drama, film, animation and puppetry, as well as Hiša eksperimentov moves its activities out onto With more than 9,000 visitors to the picnic, audience participation. the street. Icecreamology - a science show that it’s safe to say that science and art have a The opera is designed to tour schools and includes making of ice cream with fresh fruits and bright future in Croatia. The day-long Science science centres, including the Science Museum liquid hydrogen - was a big hit in October. Other Picnic featured Croatian science explainers in London, UK. activities including Science Whatever, Bubleology and also included shows performed by Contact: David Burgess, and Sweet-o-biking, will be available for all educators from Copernicus Science Centre in [email protected] visitors in front of the Hiša in the following weeks. Warsaw, Poland. englishtouringopera.org.uk www.he.si Contact: Jelena Filipaj, [email protected] www.znanstvenipiknik.hr

A science explainer and his captive audience in Zagreb, Croatia

Preparing ice cream in front of Hiša eksperimentov

EXPANSION OF WE MADE IT: NUTS, EXPERYMENT IN GDYNIA, BOLTS, GADGETS AND POLAND GIZMOS More than 350,000 people have visited the Opening in pring 2013, this permanent exhibition at EXPERYMENT Science Centre since 2007. FAMILY PARK Thinktank in Birmingham, UK, unites historical objects Interactive exhibits and regular science OPENING IN CAIRO, from the collection with science interactive activities. communication events are immensely popular. , IN 2013 The interactives form part of the interpretation of the At the beginning of 2013 there will be even The Family Park in Cairo will open its amazing objects - highlighting their relevance to visitors today more opportunities for play through 280,000 square meters to public in mid-2013. and uncovering the science behind them. Aimed at learning, as a new building will offer The park will educate, entertain, and enlighten families and school audiences, the combination of exhibitions on water, nature, physics and all visitors - especially children. collections and interactivity will inspire people and humanity. It comprises a theme park, lakes, attractions, stimulate engagement through exploration and play. Contact: [email protected] food and dinning, a museum, educational Contact: Lorna Williams: www.experyment.gdynia.pl centers, a 3D theater, a magic river, and more. [email protected] The Planetarium Science Center has been www.thinktank.ac assigned to develop and manage the Family Park’s Science and Five Senses Center, Artistic Workshops Center, and Wonders of Technology Center. Contact: [email protected] www.bibalex.org/psc EXPERYMENT expands in 2013 09 NEWS FROM ECSITE

PLACES CITIES MUST Find out which cities are on the PLACES map of www.masis.eu/english/aboutmasis0/ Europe: www.openplaces.eu/platform/cities. www.siscatalyst.eu/ RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF Quality science, strong industries and a healthy The Tartu conference was co-convened by the CITIZENS FOR A STRONG, society are the broad aims of Horizon 2020, the European Science Events Association (Eusea) and COMPETITIVE EUROPE new European framework programme for research Ecsite, the European network of science centres Why are science and innovation. How can science communicators and museums, coordinator of the PLACES project. communication policies in bridge Europe’s innovation and imagination gaps in For more information about the conference, European cities so crucial order to help meet the ambitious aims of including a full online programme and blog, visit: to European economic programmes such as Horizon 2020? A main www.openplaces.eu/conference. competitiveness? Because conclusion from the Tartu conference is that they For more information about the PLACES project, they are the answer to need to respond to the needs of European citizens. visit: www.openplaces.eu/. how European society can be fully engaged and Science communicators are at the centre of the Interested in joining the PLACES project? consulted in the research and innovation process. This science, society, research triangle. They are the Contact the project coordinator, Antonio Gomes da is what responsible research and innovation demands. moderator among these three parties. PLACES cities Costa, to discuss your ideas for a possible Local Science communicators, innovators, and city are striving to develop Local Action Plans for science Action Plan in your city: [email protected] representatives gathered in Tartu, for the 2nd communication policies in an effort to formally define, PLACES Conference: Sharing Experiences to debate sustain, and energetically facilitate the conversation and clarify their role in facilitating a strong, between science, society and government. innovative Europe. The event was hosted by Ecsite PLACES is also reaching out to other EU-level member AHHAA Science Centre Foundation. science in society projects that can help it broaden ECSITE AND The pairing of science communicators and its reach. Many of them were present at the policymakers is the essence of City Partnerships conference in Tartu, including EuroStemCell, COLLABORATE ON which are the backbone of PLACES - a European MASIS, SiS Catalyst, MAITRE and EUniversities. INSPIRING GIRLS TO FP7-funded project which is striving to define the www.livingknowledge.org/livingknowledge/perares CHOOSE SCIENCE European City of Scientific Culture. http://maitreproject.eu/ Ecsite and some of its members are collaborating There are more than 70 cities in the project with www.eurostemcell.org/ with the European Commission in November and more joining voluntarily to take advantage of http://urbact.eu/en/projects/innovation-creativity/ December 2012 to organise Gender Days in five PLACES networking and learning opportunities. eunivercities/homepage/ European countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands). It’s all part of the European Commission’s campaign, “Science: It’s a Girl Thing!” which aims to encourage young women to study science and science-related subjects and to engage them in research careers. An exciting programme awaits pupils of invited schools including mentorship with female scientists. The participating science centres and museums, selected by the European Commission, were: • Vienna, Austria: Technical Museum • Munich, Germany: Deutsches Museum • Milan, Italy: Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo Da Vinci • Amsterdam, Netherlands: Science Center NEMO • Warsaw, Poland: Copernicus Science Center, Wednesday During the events in November and December, students pose questions to, and are inspired by, female scientist role models featured at the science centres. As the European Commission’s contact point for science centres and museums in Europe, Ecsite is evaluating these Gender Days and will offer recommendations for future activities from the perspective of museum and science centre professionals promoting gender balance in science. The Ecsite network will also continue encouraging partnerships between its members and the European Commission’s Science in Society projects to organise 10 NEWS FROM ECSITE

hands-on activities, with a particular attention to ENTRANCES AND gender issues. ECSITE ANNUAL DEPARTURES AT THE CONFERENCE 2013: Contact: Marzia Mazzonetto, ECSITE EXECUTIVE OFFICE DREAMS - THE SPIRIT Ecsite bids farewell to Senior Project Manager Project Manager: OF INNOVATION Jennifer Palumbo as she brings her five-year journey [email protected] Pre-conference workshops: June 4-5, with the network to a close. She is off to pursue Main conference: 6-8 June, exciting new avenues as a freelancer. Universeum, Gothenburg, Sweden Maria Zolotonosa joins the Ecsite team as of Ecsite received an impressive 224 session November as a new Project Manager. Originally from NANOPINION proposals of which 75 were chosen. We are Latvia, Maria spent six years studying and working in After receiving brilliant concepts from European well on our way to an exciting, engaging the UK. With an MA in Cultural Management from designers, the Nanopinion conference. the University of Warwick, Maria has broad experience partners are now selecting the best ones for the in managing heritage and education projects. future monitoring stations, which will draw the public’s attention toward Nanotechnologies, engage people in dialogue and prompt their DIRECTORS “ROCK THE opinions on the topic of nanotechnology. 2013 BUSINESS Contact: Didier Laval, Ecsite Project Manager BISTRO IS READY FOR BALANCE” IN LULEÅ, SWEDEN [email protected]. YOUR BOOTH Forty science centre and museum directors from Ecsite’s Full Member institutions gathered in Luleå, Sweden from 21-23 November for the 2012 edition of this high-level networking event. The Forum, whose XPLORE HEALTH theme was gender balance in science, was organized The project officially ended in August 2012 but by Ecsite and hosted by Teknikens Hus science centre. keep checking the Xplore Health website The event featured four inspirational keynote speakers www.xplorehealth.eu as brand new modules and who promoted discussion on reinventing cultural several new activities are still being published. institutions and overcoming social stereotypes related Check it out for engaging online games, dialogue to science. The directors also used the occasion to activities and lab protocols for high school advance aspects of Ecsite’s Strategic Plan. students on drug development, biotechnology, For a full overview of the three-day event, go to skin cancer, malaria, obesity, HIV/AIDS, genomics www.ecsite.eu/activities_and_resources/directors_foru and mental health. m and look for the 2012 Forum. All activities are available in English, Polish, Spanish, Catalan and French. Contact: Marzia Mazzonetto, Ecsite Project Manager ECSITE’S NEW SPACE [email protected]. Sailing the canal at dusk in Gothenburg, Sweden THEMATIC GROUP BLASTS OFF Do you want to share your commercial Science centers, museums and activity with about 1,000 delegates at the other science communicators KIICS largest science communication conference in have their own role to play in space-related issues, Europe? Then be sure to book a booth at the turning information into education by adding their Ecsite Annual Conference Business Bistro. expertise, impartiality and creativity. With 55 booths and all coffee breaks hosted Ecsite’s Space Thematic Group, in collaboration with there, the Business Bistro is the commercial the European Space Agency (ESA, www.esa.int), will and social hub of the conference. unite science centers, museums, research institutions, The EU-project KiiCS’ incubation activities were To book your booth and for information on universities, industrial companies and space agencies. officially launched on 28th September, in Naples: conditions, floor plan and the exhibitors’ It will improve communication about the space field, artists, creative people and scientists will work guide, visit: its activities, its implications for European citizens, and together on innovative ideas and help www.ecsite.eu/annual_conference/business- will engage in educational and engagement activities communicate science in new and creative ways. bistro related to space science and technology. So far 50 The official launch followed a very successful Contact: professionals have indicated interest in being involved consortium meeting and workshop, which saw all Lucy Schweingruber, Ecsite Events Manager, - many of whom attended initial group meetings. partners and third parties in the project join forces [email protected] The group is co-chaired by Marc Moutin, Cité de to define the work in the coming months. l’Espace (France) and Ana Noronha, Ciencia Viva - To learn more about the project, visit the Pavillion of Knowledge (Portugal). website here: www.kiics.eu/en/Home/Home/. Contact [email protected] to get involved. 11 COURSES • CONFERENCES • COMPETITIONS

Fellowships for senior staff Bid to host Euroscience Ecsite Corporate Donors in science centres: Apply by 7 Open Forum (ESOF) 2016: Archimedes Moving Science January 2013 Apply by 30 April 2013 www.archimedes-exhibitions.de Senior staff in science The ESOF centres are invited to meetings were apply now for one of established by Bruns International the prestigious 2013- EUROSCIENCE in www.bruns.nl 14 Noyce Fellowships offered by the Noyce 2004. They are the only pan-European meeting Leadership Institute (NLI). The NLI hones the place for scientists, science teachers, media, European Schoolnet leadership talents of executives in science politicians, industry and the public to debate www.eun.org centres, children’s museums, and related issues of science and technology, society and institutions and offers a year-long Fellowship policy. The first successful ESOF meeting took valued at $55,000 per institution. Fellows are place in Stockholm in August 2004. Since then, based in their home institutions, and travel to there have been four further successful Exhibits.nl www.exhibits.nl the USA three times during the course of the meetings, in Munich in July 2006, in Barcelona Fellowship. Four candidates from Europe were in July 2008, in Torino in July 2010 and in

successful in gaining Fellowships last year, Dublin in July 2012 (www.esof.eu). The 2014 Expology bringing to the total of European Fellows since edition of ESOF will be held in Copenhagen in www.expology.no the scheme began to twenty. Next year’s June 2014. programme is targeted at senior leaders who EUROSCIENCE now invites cities, regions, are well-positioned to manage change and Robetoy countries or local, regional or national www.robetoy.eu influence decision-makers in their institution consortia to submit bids to host ESOF 2016. and community. CEOs in the very beginning stage of their role (within the first 4 years) are Sky-Skan also eligible to apply. Application information www.skyskan.com for the 2013-2014 Fellowship is available here: http://noycefdn.org/NLI.php Science Centre World Summit: Public engagement for On or before Monday, December 3, 2012, Skypoint Digital Planetariums a better world, www.digitalplanetariums.com please indicate your intention to apply by Mechelen/Brussels, Belgium, sending an e-mail to 17-19 March 2014 [email protected]. It is recognized worldwide that citizen SMG Science Center Service On or before Monday, January 7, 2013, please engagement in scientific and technological www.smg-deutschland.de send all application materials via e-mail to issues is crucial to the advancement and [email protected]. welfare of all. People from diverse social backgrounds should be able to participate in Techniquest all areas of social dialogue, including the social www.techniquest.org dimensions of science. A variety of projects The SiS Catalyst Mentoring intended to engage citizens in science and technology that will help equip them to take Triad Berlin Associates Programme for www.triad.de science in society or social advantage of opportunities on a life-long basis, inclusion projects is occurring worldwide. But there is still a very wide gap to bridge. It is a task that scientists, policy makers, companies, global associations Ecsite wishes to thank its Corporate Donors, who support Ecsite and institutions share on a worldwide basis. network activities. In return, the Donor gains prominence in the Ecsite Newsletter, on the website, and at the Annual Conference. If you wish Organized in Mechelen (Belgium) by to receive information about becoming a Corporate Partner, please Technopolis, the Flemish science centre, in contact the Ecsite Executive Office in Brussels: This is an exciting opportunity for organisations [email protected] • www.ecsite.eu of all kinds who are currently working on cooperation with the Royal Belgian Institute of science in society or social inclusion projects or Natural Sciences (Brussels), this will be a who would like to start. Mentoring associates unique high-level, global meeting point for will be paired in order to learn from each representatives from different fields to discuss other, and explore new approaches together. topics that concern all parties. Funding for travel and accommodation will be www.technopolis.be/eng Designed by CUEN provided to allow partners to meet. T +39 081 2301118 Applications for the programme are now being [email protected] accepted. for Ecsite - the European network of science For more information, please visit centres and museums www.siscatalyst.eu/practitioners/mentoring- Ecsite Executive Office associates. 70 Coudenberg, 5th Floor • B-1000 Brussels T +32 2 649 7383 • F +32 2 647 5098 [email protected] • www.ecsite.eu 12