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PUTTING EUROPLANET ON THE NEWS

PUTTING EUROPLANET ON THE NEWS. The European Planetary Science Congress 2007 Case Study. MARIANA BARROSA University of Glamorgan Europlanet OSC. ANITA HEWARD Europlanet OSC. CAP 2007 October 2007. The European Planetology Network.

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PUTTING EUROPLANET ON THE NEWS

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  1. PUTTING EUROPLANET ON THE NEWS The European Planetary Science Congress 2007 Case Study MARIANA BARROSA University of Glamorgan Europlanet OSC ANITA HEWARD Europlanet OSC CAP 2007 October 2007

  2. The European Planetology Network EuroPlaNet was created in 2005 to bring together the European researchers working in planetary science by setting up an interdisciplinary European Planetary Science Network and this way achieving a long-term integration of this discipline in Europe. EuroPlaNet is a project supported by the European Union (EU) and funded through the Sixth Framework Programme (6FP) until the end of 2008 EuroPlaNet’s objectives are: • Increase the productivity of planetary projects with European investment, with emphasis on major planetary exploration missions; • Initiate a long-term integration of the European planetary science community; • Improve European scientific competitiveness, develop and spread expertise in this research area, • Improve public understanding of planetary environments. Putting Europlanet on the news :::::

  3. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Organisational Structure - EuroPlaNet divides its activities in six different areas:

  4. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: II European Planetary Science Congress (IIEPSC) Potsdam, Germany – 19th/24th August 2007 • II EPSC presents itself as the ideal case study in a real work environment: • International science congress of considerable size - 514 delegates • The most prestigious European research institutes in astronomy and space science are present • About 500 abstracts accepted • Allows a prominent and credible background for the work of the Press Office and provides good scientific raw material for the production of newsworthy stories; • The I European Planetary Science Congress (2006) had only residual media coverage results. (This could by explained by the fact that there were very limited press office activities done in this event) It will be interesting to compare the results of the second congress and understand to what extent a fully operational and well organized press office makes or not a difference in the final results when it comes to news placement in the media.

  5. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: European citizens and science (Eurobarometers 2005): “Let us talk about those issues in the news which interest you”

  6. ::European Citizens and Science and Technology The survey asked people where they get their information about science:

  7. ::European Citizens and Science and Technology “Among the following categories of people and organisations, which three are best qualified to explain to you the impact of scientific and technological developments on society?”

  8. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Astronomy and Space in the news in Europe: PERCENTAGE OF COVERAGE OF ASTRONOMY RESEARCH IN THE GERMAN PRESS OVER A 3 MONTHS PERIOD NUMBER OF ARTICLES DEVOTED TO ITALIAN SPACE NEWS APRIL 2001-MARCH 2002 (Madsen, 2003) (Tommasi, 2003)

  9. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Before the press office: As preparation, a questionnaire was produced and sent to a few science journalists working in different areas of the media in Europe: • After analysing the answers we know that: • most of the science journalists work for several types of media simultaneously • 50% are freelancers • only 61% write exclusively about scientific topics • only 50% of the journalists that answered this enquiry have an academic background in science, most of them in physics, astrophysics or mathematics. • 64% state that Astronomy and Space Sciences are “very important” in their work when compared to other sciences and 25% consider it “of some importance”. Only 11% regard it “not important”. • In 2007, most of these journalists (93%) had already done stories, features or programmes on Astronomy and Space Sciences (until the end of this enquiry in the 31st August)

  10. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: the most frequently used sources for science news by the respondents:

  11. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: what is more important in press releases - “subject” and “credibility”

  12. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Work flow of the Press Office

  13. The Press Office produced: Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Press releases a text announcing and describing a finding or discovery using language aimed at news media and the general public based on text supplied by the lead research scientist, but rewritten for news focus and style final text approved by the scientist

  14. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: The scientists and the Press Office A certain discomfort, distrust and surprise at first But overall, extremely helpful, patient and willing to collaborate Some comments from the scientists: Lack of knowledge regarding “news value”: “Regarding the suitability for a press release, I'm not an expert whether my results can appeal the media or not”. “... I'm not sure what it can be interesting, so I put everything together and you can have an idea. Please feel free of taking out everything you don't find useful, I wrote a lot!” Bad experiences in the past: “with media we had some bad experience here in Germany. Newspapers called us ‘strange people’, astronomy and astrology was confounded and they made us ridiculous...”

  15. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Suspicion and “Internet-the-enemy”: “what kind of "media" do you mean? Newspapers, Internet?” “My collaborators and I would like to know more about what kind of 'media release' you have in mind, particularly if the release will be available on internet. Thank you very much for providing us with more information so that we can reach a decision on this matter.” “I would be very grateful to you if you let me know whether this text will be released or not and to contact me for any modifications made in the material prior to the release.” “It is very important to make the above changes. I would be very grateful to you if you could send us a new draft of the press release as soon as possible.” Lack of experience in science communication: “I'm also sorry for asking it because I have never experienced press release activity. Thank you for your instruction.”

  16. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: Wanting to improve their communication skills: “Thank you again for your questions. I believe that it is quite important not to make mistake in the press release. So please do not hesitate asking me further questions. They will also be helpful for me to improve my results, and to accumulate experiences of my public outreach activities.” Some offered to write the press release themselves: “It will be a pleasure to try and contribute to public information with a press release. I just need some information about how to submit it, a deadline for sending it, and how long you need it.” Eager to help and enjoying it: “Write me back for any questions!” Comments of one scientist when told he would make a good science communicator because he had an excellent way of explaining complicated scientific topics: “Really? I always think of myself as a very bad teacher and communicator especially for science. Well, thanks!”

  17. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: PRESS COVERAGE RESULTS Based on clippings collected over a period of 25 days - 19th of August to the 12th of September 2007. Using Google News, we collected 189 articles directly derived form our press releases and 14 others not directly related, but that still mentioned the Congress, in a total of 203 news

  18. Putting Europlanet on the news :::::

  19. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: MEDIA COVERAGE BY COUNTRIES

  20. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: a total of 110 different media

  21. Putting Europlanet on the news :::::

  22. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: The press coverage results show us that it is possible to place science related news in the media. They also show us that this is only possible with planning, preparation and hard work. In a word – professionalization: Some thoughts: • Public communication of research results must be a part of the scientific process itself and not consider it as an optional activity, a by-product. The role of the Public information Officer (PIO) is vital in this process - relationships with external audiences influences the process and products of science communication. (The PIO’s expertise in the relevant field of research will certainly influence the quality and effectiveness of the communication process). • Scientists and press offices need to work more closely together • in the present case study, none of the scientists contacted during the media activities for the II EPSC, with one or two exceptions, had prepared the communication of their results with the PIO representing their institution. • The production of multilingual products would improve science visibility in the European press

  23. Putting Europlanet on the news ::::: “Rather than be satisfied with science-related stories appearing in the second half of our popular daily newspapers – I would like to see them (at least once in a while!) on the front page.” Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research

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