Parallel Session 4: Unconventional Outreach - STEM and Art
Tuesday 9 April 14:45 - 16:30
In 1959 C.P. Snow clearly divided the sciences and humanities. This artificial segmentation is crumbling as concepts like SciArt, BioArt and other transdisciplinary approaches have spread around the world bringing scientists and artists together to create ground-breaking research, innovative engagement formats, and attract new audiences to public engagement activities. Apart from these benefits, institutions and organisations can access new funding streams to develop such initiatives. These include arts funding, voluntary organisation schemes, and large-scale EU funding such as ERASMUS+ and Horizon 2020.
There is solid evidence backing the benefits of integrating arts with science to reach various stakeholders and citizens. During this talk Dr Edward Duca (science and innovation communication lecturer, University of Malta) and Simone Cutajar (researcher and Esplora Natura Director), will use several case studies (successful and unsuccessful) to outline funding opportunities, how new audiences can be attracted with innovative formats, and a project management best practice system that increases initiative effectiveness.
Dr Duca will bring seven years of experience in managing various public engagement initiatives in Malta focusing on Science in the City, Malta’s science and arts festival, which annually attracts 6% of the population. It involves hundreds of volunteers, researchers, industry personnel, government employees and NGO members that work with artists to create interactive art installations, music, performing arts, theatre, and dance to communicate research. Ms Cutajar will reflect on her project experience working with scientists, artists and communities to produce art pieces based on citizen-led research.
Taken together they have attracted more than 1 million EUR for science and arts projects. They have also come up with a seven-point management system outlining best practice of such projects. A transdisciplinary approach towards public engagement seeks to benefit institutions and organisations, and the researchers they support.
