JESSICA MARIANI, CHRISTINA SADLER
EUFIC – European Food Information Council

One of the hardest challenges among the scientific community is to create impact by making their work more understandable for a wider audience. If these results are expected to produce a tangible change in our society, we should put all our efforts to show the benefit for the people. Are scientists up for the challenge?

COMMUNICATING EU-FUNDED RESEARCH

In most research projects funded by the EU, the communication and dissemination is a key element of project’s impact. Progress is communicated through different channels, showing why these projects are relevant (7), and demonstrating how they help promoting healthier lifestyles, fight diseases, and make people’s lives better. 

By communicating the added value, the European Institutions build trust in how the citizens’ money is spent to produce growth and innovation (7). In a nutshell, communication of EU projects increases people’s engagement in complex topics that would otherwise remain unknown.

OVERCOMING THE “CURSE OF KNOWLEDGE”

Before developing a commu ...