Citizen science in practice; Insides from the Zwarte Cross Universitent UT Science Communication Club Thursday 11 December

Nowadays as researchers we are increasingly expected to communicate our science to a wider audience, to engage in dialogue with citizens and other actors, or pitch our research for funding to a non-specialist audience. Science communication is an integral part of our responsibility to society. As with any skill, practice makes perfect—and progress is faster when we share our experiences. This is what we do at the Science Communication Club!

The next Science Communication Club will take place on Thursday 11 December (12:30 – 13:30h) in DesignLab, room INSPIRE

Saskia Baas (Citizen Science Hub Twente) and Renske van Wijk (TechMed Centre) will share how researchers, citizens, organisations and policy can work together when exploring how science can contribute to everyday life. They will talk about practices of citizen science – from designing projects and engaging people, to building trust and sustainable collaborations. For example, the platform Meedoen acts as an interface between science and society which researchers can use. Finally, they briefly introduce the new PRO BONO regional initiative also aiming to turn citizen science ideas into action.  

Professor Guus Rijnders, Chair of Inorganic Materials Science at the Faculty of Science & Technology, will start by offering a glimpse into his research and the innovative spin-off activities emerging from his group. In the second part of his talk, Professor Rijnders will reflect on his involvement with the “Universitent” at the Zwarte Cross festival, a unique initiative where researchers from across Dutch universities share their work, its societal relevance, and visions for the future in engaging, accessible language. Through this experience, he has learned valuable lessons about connecting science with the public and bridging the gap between academic research and everyday understanding. His presentation will conclude with insights, observations, and practical strategies for communicating complex scientific ideas to non-expert audiences, demonstrating how curiosity, creativity, and clear storytelling can make science resonate beyond the lab.

For PhD students: you can earn a certificate of 0.5 EC by attending 5 meetings and presenting / discussing an own example

Dates 2026:

• Thursday 19 February, venue Langezijds, LA 2310
• Thursday 19 March 2026, venue Langezijds, LA 2405
• Thursday 28 May 2026, venue Ravelijn VIP room RA1315
• Thursday 25 June 2026, venue Ravelijn VIP room RA1315