Communicating UdG’s research via its experts. The pandemic as a catalyst.

  Cristina VALENTÍ TERNERO, Universitat de Girona (University of Girona), Spain
  Silvia SIMON, Universitat de Girona (University of Girona), Spain
  M. Jesús FERRÉS, Universitat de Girona (University of Girona), Spain
  Olímpia TRIAS, Universitat de Girona (University of Girona), Spain
  Núria AYGUADÉ, Universitat de Girona (University of Girona), Spain

     
Democratic standards are raised when society can make decisions based on facts. The University of Girona (UdG) is a public high education institution; therefore, sharing knowledge must be a true commitment. For UdG, scientific communication is paramount. Its strategy has two main paths: 1) communicating research projects’ results and 2) increasing the presence of researchers in the media to contribute their knowledge to the public debate. This abstract proposal refers to the latter.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst. The scientific achievements have been broadcast live: the DNA sequencing process of the virus, the analysis of its survival in the air or on surfaces, the development of vaccines… The public need to find verified answers during this worldwide health crisis has increased the appearance of scientists in the media.
 
UdG has always supported journalists by providing scientists’ expertise on current affairs. In 2021, UdG is emphasising researchers’ role like never before with the new campaign “Ets font!” (“You are a fountain!”, in which the word fountain is used as a poetic term for “source”, referred to source of knowledge and information). UdG has also designed new initiatives and the rest of the year’s activities are aimed at achieving this goal.
 

• Launch the campaigns “Ets font!”– “You are a fountain” (Target: UdG scientists) and “Som font” – “We are a fountain” (Target: media and the public). The goals are to increase the number of scientists in the UdG Directory of Experts; to encourage journalists to use reputable voices; and to show society that UdG can be counted on to be well-informed. 
• Collaborate with fact-checking media from qualified voices to confirm or deny information. 
• Use hashtags #UdGVerifica, #ExpertUdG (for male researchers) and #ExpertaUdG (for female researchers) on Twitter when a scientist has contributed to verifying information. 
• Host an event for journalists and scientists to improve relationships, build trust between the two and, therefore, achieve more accurate media content. 
• “#ExpertaUdG” campaign on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to display UdG female researchers’ talent. 

All things considered, UdG aims to rise public’s knowledge through its researchers and expects to sponsor media access to its large directory of well-versed scientists.

Document 1 : Document 1

Document 2 : Ets font Campaign

Document 2 : #UdGVerifica