"The non-profit association ScienceCenter-Netzwerk has a strategic role as a hub inside the Austrian community of interactive science communication. Its focus is research, training, dissemination and documentation of science center activities in order to analyze the potential of these activities and support their Austrian-wide usage. For the organization to efficiently serve this role as an active node in the Austrian and international networks, it needs staff with excellent knowledge about the international state-of-the-art development of science centers and informal learning. The organization needs to be well known and connected with international partners. This is also essential in view of the association being an important organization for trainings in Austria for various target groups (education system, students, teachers, scientists, explainers, museums and science mediators). Strategically, the association aims to strenghten the competences for organizing and realizing inclusive science communication offers (esp. with temporary, ""pop-up"" activities), for ""citizen science"" and mediation by active scientists as well as for research and evaluation of informal learning. The aim of the current project is thus to systematically deepen the competences of employees through a series of study visits, trainings and build contacts to experienced international partners. Participants will be staff of the core team, working on interactive science mediation, teaching, development and communication as well as explainers who serve as part-time staff for various activities of the association. The plan includes six mobilities, five short-time and one 2-month study visit. Expected results are the qualification of staff, transfer of knowledge inside the (broader) team and implementation into ongoing activities. Moreover, methods and skills will be disseminated through the Austrian network with its 150 partners as well as through teaching and trainings. A long-term benefit of the mobility activities will be the increased international profile of the organization ScienceCenter-Netzwerk, which is expected to manifest itself in intensified international collaboration, especially through EU-funded projects."

Science communication is at a pivotal stage in its evolution due to the emergence of digital communication platforms that are not only presenting new opportunities but are also leading to new challenges. RETHINK will provide an unprecedented view of the new science communication landscape to reveal the barriers and inequalities that stand in the way of open and reflexive connections between science and society. It will also present the way forward, encouraging evidence-based transformations in science communication practice as well as guiding relevant policy to further open Research & Innovation (R&I) to society.To achieve this, RETHINK will provide a 360° view of the current science communication landscape. It will map current science communication activities across Europe, including those taking place in the currently uncharted digital sphere. It will seek input from R&I stakeholders who are currently disengaged with science communication. Outputs will be new ways of training those who engage in science communication, including those underserved by current training - such as bloggers and social media commentators. There will be online briefs aimed at changing current science communication practices to break down barriers preventing open R&I and reach underserved audiences across the EU. Strategies will be developed to improve individual and collective sensemaking by enhancing its openness and reflexivity. Guidance on policy will also be provided to create an environment that encourages open R&I. All of these outputs will be open access, as will the data generated during the research process to encourage a broad discussion and maximise uptake. RETHINK will bring about meaningful, long-term change in science communication to maximise the opportunities and overcome the challenges of digitalisation, allowing the sector to help society meet key challenges across the European community and beyond.

COALESCE will consolidate, further develop, and mainstream generated knowledge and connections on science communication to build up the European Competence Centre for Science Communication. To achieve measurable and sustainable long-term impact of the Centre, project objectives will pivot on co-creation and co-design building on cooperative relationships with multiple stakeholders including scientific and journalist networks, as well as university alliances. COALESCE operates in relation to international, national and regional hubs and builds on an interdisciplinary approach. It will demonstrate the means for rapid mobilisation of scicomm in times of crisis while fighting misinformation and engendering trust in science. Supporting all of this will be an accessible library of critical resources, toolkits, handbooks and training opportunities to R&I actors across the ERA. The COALESCE project ensures the effectiveness of and best practices for science communication through a concerted and focused effort made by an experienced, knowledgeable, and well-connected consortium. We build on and add to already existing forms of excellence in science communication, public engagement, and co-creation practices developed from the joint efforts of the coordinators of all previous SwafS-19 calls and contributions from other key partners. COALESCE continues and strengthens connections between academic researchers and practitioners representing the state of the art of scicomm in Europe and defines and trains on best practices within Europe and beyond. The consortium represents several key features to make it well positioned in relation to the call as it: 1. Integrates universities and higher education providers with SMEs; 2. Connects participatory engagement methodologies and journalism practices with new channels for scicomm; 3. Participates with agendas of national scientific bodies; and 4. Is supported by existing scicomm reference and university alliance networks.