Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FRONTIERS (Fellowship Residencies Offering science News professionals Tools and training for Independent and Ethical Reporting on Science)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-06-01 bis 2024-11-30
The FRONTIERS ERC-funded project aims to tackle the challenges of science journalism and increase interactions between research institutions and science journalists. This aim is actualised by establishing a unique residency program for science journalists, enabling them to immerse themselves in European research institutions and gain in-depth knowledge of frontiers research fields. The project operates under the core principles of Science Journalism Importance, Journalistic Independence, and Coverage of Frontier Research.
Through 3-5 month-long residencies, selected science journalists have the opportunity to work on their projects linked to ‘Frontier research’ and develop their skills. Furthermore, they have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers via their projects, networking and mutual events, improving understanding and ability to effectively communicate their work to the media.
To support project activities, training activities are being established to bring stakeholders together, disseminate good practices in science journalism, and create long-lasting bridges between participants. A coordination and support office has been built to manage ongoing work with journalists in residencies.
By creating a sustainable support structure for science journalists, who are in turn expected to produce high-quality, independent and informative science journalism work and enabled by financial support for third parties, FRONTIERS is contributing to several long-term impacts. First, to more and better journalistic coverage of scientific outputs to the public. Then to increasing the trust between the public, the science journalists, and researchers. Last but not least the project contributes to overcoming challenges related to journalists’ working conditions, lack of resources, lack of opportunities for professional development, and insufficient links with leading research institutions and researchers.
Through 3-5 month-long residencies, selected science journalists have the opportunity to work on their projects linked to ‘Frontier research’ and develop their skills. Furthermore, they have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers via their projects, networking and mutual events, improving understanding and ability to effectively communicate their work to the media.
To support project activities, training activities are being established to bring stakeholders together, disseminate good practices in science journalism, and create long-lasting bridges between participants. A coordination and support office has been built to manage ongoing work with journalists in residencies.
By creating a sustainable support structure for science journalists, who are in turn expected to produce high-quality, independent and informative science journalism work and enabled by financial support for third parties, FRONTIERS is contributing to several long-term impacts. First, to more and better journalistic coverage of scientific outputs to the public. Then to increasing the trust between the public, the science journalists, and researchers. Last but not least the project contributes to overcoming challenges related to journalists’ working conditions, lack of resources, lack of opportunities for professional development, and insufficient links with leading research institutions and researchers.
To achieve its main objectives, FRONTIERS engaged Host Institutions across Europe and their researchers, facilitating journalist residencies of three to five months. These residencies allow journalists to conduct research for their productions while deepening their expertise in specific areas of frontier science. They also foster long-term connections between journalists and research institutions. The residency program has been closely monitored by the Coordination and Support Office (CSO) that has been established since the beginning of the project. The program’s financial administration, managed by Enspire, has ensured timely allocation of funding to selected journalists. The CSO, in collaboration with NOVA, created a comprehensive database of eligible research institutions in the EU and associated countries. This database includes institutions that conduct cutting-edge research in various scientific fields, ensuring that they meet the programme’s criteria for frontier research.
In addition to the residency program, the consortium has developed targeted training activities, including sessions for junior and senior journalists. These initiatives not only provide professional development but also serve as networking opportunities, with the Call 1 training session successfully conducted in October 2024. Concurrently, The training materials have been developed to facilitate these training sessions.
In addition to the residency program, the consortium has developed targeted training activities, including sessions for junior and senior journalists. These initiatives not only provide professional development but also serve as networking opportunities, with the Call 1 training session successfully conducted in October 2024. Concurrently, The training materials have been developed to facilitate these training sessions.