The COST Strategic Plan introduces the Cross-Cutting Activity (CCA) as a tool to better connect policy makers and R&I players to share best practices. The primary beneficiaries of the outcomes will be COST Action participants and the wider R&I (policy) community in Europe. Other CCA initiatives are foreseen to be launched in the future and will also address horizontal topics in line with the European Research Area (ERA) framework.
In 2019, COST introduced the pilot CCA on science communication. This CCA will use COST networking instruments to achieve several deliverables in the context of the following specific objectives:
Create learning tools to enhance the value and impact of public engagement with science
Explore ways of achieving high-quality, evidence-based, interdisciplinary science communication, targeting diverse audiences;
Address the gap between the scientific community, policy makers, journalists and citizens/stakeholders;
Develop high-quality training in science communication.
CCA Working Groups
The CCA objectives feed into the following Working Group (WG) activities and deliverables, which include a scoping review with the aim to establish a code of practice for EU science communication; a ‘train the trainers’ programme in science communication; a comprehensive stakeholder mapping; and the organisation of conferences.
WG1
WG 1 focuses on achieving high-quality, interdisciplinary and evidence-based science communication.
WG2
WG 2 will work towards putting in place effective, high-quality training in science communication with a focus on training based on the state of the art in science communication.
WG3
WG 3 will aim to connect researchers, science journalists and communicators, stakeholders and policy makers, engaging citizens where possible.
The draft Memorandum of Understanding, including a list of all CCA member organisations, can be accessed here.
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