Project +Science works to strengthen the culture of scientific publishing at UNIFAL-MG.

To expand the dissemination of scientific production developed by the university community, UNIFAL-MG has launched the +Ciência project. The aim of the proposal is to change the way in which the research carried out at UNIFAL-MG is shared with the community.

The project was approved in a call from the FAPEMIG Public Communication Programme for Science and Technology, which aims to support actions to disseminate science, technology and innovation in scientific institutions in the state.

Journalist and cultural producer Ivany Salgado, current Director of Social Communication at the Foundation, is at the forefront of the proposal, which is supported by a multidisciplinary team made up of technical and administrative staff and professors, as well as collaborators and scholarship students. The implementation of the project is provided by the equipment infrastructure of the Directorate of Social Communication (Dicom).

“The Ciência+ project was designed with the aim of creating an institutional culture of scientific publishing, which goes beyond peer-reviewed publications and publishing in academia,” explains Ivany Salgado. “We want the discoveries and innovations made here to be accessible to the general public, and not just to scientific journals and academic events.”

Among the planned actions are carrying out research and producing texts that will be published on a specific portal, already developed by the Dicom team. “The first action we took was to contact postgraduate programmes to map out the possible research that our colleagues could carry out,” says Ivany Salgado.

Two selected fellows have already undergone specific training to gather information about the research and produce summaries in accessible language. According to the project coordinator, the schedule of activities also includes training for the researchers themselves through an event that has not yet taken place.

“The idea is for researchers to feel prepared to share their findings in a clear and engaging way,” he highlights. “This also includes being more prepared to engage with the press, and making dialogue with journalists more flexible and effective.”

Vitória Gabrieli Souza Geraldine is a medical student at UNIFAL-MG and a recipient of a scholarship for the project. Commenting on the experience, she stressed that it is a learning opportunity. “In addition to enabling us to disseminate and disseminate scientific knowledge, through a clear and accessible language for the general population, the +Ciência project allows us to improve our writing skills, through the support of specialized professionals,” she says.

“I am sure that participating in the +Ciência project will bring me academic benefits and benefits in terms of improving my personal skills,” he affirms.

Like Vitória Geraldine, Rafael Martins da Silva Aveto, an academic in the Biological Sciences (BSc) course and a scholarship recipient, believes that participating in the project has broadened his understanding of how scientific knowledge is disseminated.

“Participating in the +Ciência project has been a challenging and unique experience,” he says. “After all, academic writing is very different and not at all inclusive.” He highlights: “When I read studies from different fields and translate them into an accessible language, I feel like I am making a difference.”

“Science is not just about doing experiments and analyzing data, it’s also about showing people what we do and that’s what I love most about being part of this project,” Rafael Aveto continues.

In addition to producing texts for the +Ciência portal, the project also includes the production of printed flyers to be distributed in high-traffic locations, such as schools, offices and public institutions in the cities of Alvinas, Pocos de Caldas and Varginha.

Producing podcasts on science and technology is also in the team’s plans. “We intend to broadcast these podcasts through the Federal FM Radio, with which we have a partnership, and through social networks, translating them into Libras,” says Ivany Salgado. “We want to reach different audiences and expand the research in a comprehensive and accessible way.”

Expected impact

According to the coordinator, in addition to the short-term objectives, +Ciência’s proposal is to strengthen the institutional culture of scientific publishing at UNIFAL-MG, through interaction with researchers, the press and the community. He points out that “+Ciência should clarify isolated scientific publishing programmes and projects that already exist at the university to promote a broader and coordinated initiative for scientific dissemination”.

“Our project is the first step towards a cultural change, which values ​​scientific communication and allows it to be part of the routine at UNIFAL-MG,” concludes the proposal coordinator.

News related to the research carried out by the project team will be available on the +Ciência portal and will also be highlighted in the Jornal UNIFAL-MG, which will hold a specific editorial for the project. As part of the communication routine, texts will be sent to the press and published on other communication channels linked to the project.

Source: Unival-MG

Image: Canva Education