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• Date of publication Apr 29, 2026 Category: Conference Review

  Science Communication, an Italian Job: Reflections from the "Convegno Nazionale di Comunicazione della Scienza 2025"

  by Alessandra Fornetti , Ilda Mannino , Folco Soffietti

  The 2025 edition of the Convegno Nazionale di Comunicazione della Scienza (Italian National Conference on Science Communication) gathered Italy’s growing science-communication community in a four-day event characterised by vibrant discussions, experimental formats, and an atmosphere of collective exploration.

  Hosted at SISSA (International School of Advanced Studies) and across Trieste’s Porto Vecchio district, the programme combined plenaries, dialogues, hands-on laboratories, and mosaic sessions, covering themes ranging from risk communication and environmental justice to museum mediation, playful science formats, and digital strategies. 

  The conference showcased some of the most advanced research and applied techniques currently shaping the field and was marked by strong participant engagement, culminating in an appreciated social visit to the “Immaginario Scientifico” Science Museum in Magazzino 26 in the old port of Trieste. 

  Overall, the Convegno Nazionale di Comunicazione della Scienza 2025 demonstrated a dynamic, evolving landscape in which science communication in Italy continues to expand, diversify, and renew itself.

  Volume 25 • Issue 3 • 2026

• Date of publication May 10, 2021 Category: Article

  Quality indicators for science communication: results from a collaborative concept mapping exercise

  by Arko Olesk , Berit Renser , Laura Bell , Alessandra Fornetti , Suzanne Franks , Ilda Mannino , Joseph Roche , Ana Lucia Schmidt , Barbara Schofield , Roberta Villa , Fabiana Zollo

  Although the need to improve quality of science communication is often mentioned in public discussions, the science communication literature offers few conceptualizations of quality. We used a concept mapping approach, involving representatives of various science communication stakeholder groups working collaboratively, to propose a framework of quality. The framework organizes individual elements of quality into twelve indicators arranged into three dimensions: trustworthiness and scientific rigour, presentation and style, and connection with society. The framework supports science communicators in reflecting on their current practices and designing new activities, potentially improving communication effectiveness.

  Volume 20 • Issue 03 • 2021 • Special Issue: Re-examining Science Communication: models, perspectives, institutions, 2021 (RETHINK)

• Date of publication May 10, 2021 Category: Editorial

  Rethinking science communication in a changing landscape

  by J. F. H. Kupper , Carolina Moreno , Alessandra Fornetti

  Science communication continues to grow, develop and change, as a practice and field of research. The boundaries between science and the rest of society are blurring. Digitalization transforms the public sphere. This JCOM special issue aims to rethink science communication in light of the changing science communication landscape. How to characterize the emerging science communication ecosystem in relation to the introduction of new media and actors involved? What new practices are emerging? How is the quality of science communication maintained or improved? We present a selection of papers that provide different perspectives on these questions and challenges.

  Volume 20 • Issue 03 • 2021 • Special Issue: Re-examining Science Communication: models, perspectives, institutions, 2021 (RETHINK)

• Date of publication May 10, 2021 Category: Article

  Supporting quality in science communication: insights from the QUEST project

  by Ilda Mannino , Laura Bell , Enrico Costa , Matteo Di Rosa , Alessandra Fornetti , Suzanne Franks , Claudia Iasillo , Neil Maiden , Arko Olesk , Jacopo Pasotti , Berit Renser , Joseph Roche , Barbara Schofield , Roberta Villa , Fabiana Zollo

  The promotion of quality is a critical aspect to consider in the re-examination of science communication. This problem is analysed in the research carried out by the QUEST project, as featured in this paper. Engaging key stakeholders in a codesign process — through interviews, focus groups, workshops and surveys — the research identified barriers to quality science communication and on the basis of these, proposes a series of tools and supporting material that can serve as incentives toward quality science communication for different stakeholders across the fields of journalism, social media, and museum communication. And it highlights in particular the significance of training in order to promote professionalism amongst communicators.

  Volume 20 • Issue 03 • 2021 • Special Issue: Re-examining Science Communication: models, perspectives, institutions, 2021 (RETHINK)