(Re)Assessing impact in large-scale science communication events – Experiences from around Europe
Helena Robert i Campos, Edward Duca, Sarah Cullen, Zara Gladman, Julia Brink, Karmen Svalina and Miguel Carrasco
After 7 years of coordinating MACARONIGHT at LPRC, we’ve found that traditional impact assessment methods, on-site and online, are becoming obsolete. Exchanges within the European Researchers’ Nights (ERNs) network, have proven these challenges extend beyond local and regional contexts, posing obstacles for large-scale science communication initiatives. Evolving public needs, shorter attention spans, and the immediacy of modern lifestyles hinder gathering diverse perspectives, as participants now require simplified and streamlined data collection processes, while young generations are eager to have their say.
By combining ERNs’ experiences with participants’ insights, this session will foster an interactive dialogue, co-constructing a toolkit of recommendations and innovative methods adapted to current times. This will improve skills and techniques, creating a baseline to apply beyond the ERNs to other public engagement initiatives, leading to valuable outcomes for the EUSEA community.