UCC+i: Scientific Culture Unit
At the Institute of Marine Research, our goal is to be an active part of the community around us, and of society in general, and to involve its members in every step of our scientific process.
However, communicating science to society is not enough. The unit works to involve our external community and seeks to open a dialogue with them, providing spaces and opportunities to share impressions about the things we do and listen to the demands or questions they may have. All this while debunking stereotypes about the scientific community, encouraging STEM careers among younger people and sharing the scientific method as a way to bring critical meaning to our world.
Organization of the UCC+i
Following the guidelines of the Spanish Foundation for Science & Technology (FECYT) White Paper on UCC+i Units (2021), the IIM UCC+i works with a focus on scientific outreach & communication to society as a whole, producing resources and events that act as a bridge between our scientific community and citizens, with special interest in Sci-Art initiatives such as the Neuston Experiments Series or Arela de Mar. While maintaining essential activities, such as school talks and participation in local science fairs, the Unit strives to improve its network of collaborators and contribute to European projects such as the European Researchers’ Night.
The UCC+i collaborates with the Communication Unit of the CSIC Delegation in Galicia supporting the center’s media relations & digital communications, keeping our social media channels up to date and sharing our latest R&I results in collaboration with the IIM Research Groups.
In addition, the UCC+i aims to establish itself as a benchmark in the field of Science, Technology & Society (STS), developing its own emerging research to improve the way science is shared, and promoting new training initiatives that foster the professionalization of Science Communication & public engagement positions.
The Unit was born as a legacy of the work already being carried out at the Institute by its own staff, with the invaluable support of the Society Engagement Unit of the CSIC Delegation in Galicia.
