Before launching the Science Journalism Initiative (SJI), the European Research Council (ERC) tested the idea for a residency program for science journalists in European research host institutions, through a short pilot experiment in three different countries. The results not only guided the ERC but may also serve as an inspiration for other science journalists, researchers, and host institutions to embark on the adventure promoted by FRONTIERS. 

Three research institutions, in the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain, were selected to host science journalists for one month in late 2022. The Science Journalism Initiative’s initial testing contributed to enhancing scientists’ awareness of the importance of interacting with journalists.

According to the ERC, the test run confirmed that there is a need for this type of programme. “The employment conditions of journalists, including science journalists, are worsening, there are fewer resources and time for training and development, limited opportunities for journalists to establish a network among themselves, and little money for in-depth study and research”.

“For a journalist, it’s exciting to learn about cutting-edge research areas”, said one of the participants in the test run. “Being able to spend extended periods with a research group, seeing firsthand their experiments and equipment, was the most valuable part of this experience. This immersive aspect really brought their work to life.”

For the researchers, it was also a very valuable experiment: “I liked having the opportunity to talk to the journalist. She was immediately inside my research, showing interest, asking the right questions, and inspiring me with my answers”, said one of the host researchers. 

The FRONTIERS project will build on the recommendations of the pilot experiment to set up its science journalism residency program, which is expected to open up to 40 fellowships in the next four years  The residencies will last for up to five months, thus allowing for more time for journalists to explore scientific topics in a broad range of host institutions engaged in frontier science in any scientific domain. 

Thanks to the “test run” project of the ERC and the choice of the head of communication of the research institution, I have had the opportunity to participate in a very interesting and enriching professional experience: for a month, visiting several leading research centers to see first‐hand the scientific work they carry out, as well as the activity of the respective departments of Communication.

Science Journalist of the ERC SJI test run

Our scientists were pleased to hear that we are piloting a science journalism initiative for such a prestigious brand as ERC and they have realised that visibility of research results must be important if ERC is planning to roll out such type of initiative. Therefore, we can say that our scientists have become more open to sharing their research results

Press officer at a host institution

Fabio Turone and Daniela Ovadia, from the Center for Ethics in Science and Journalism, in Milan, write about the challenges of science journalism and how the ERC funding of the FRONTIERS project may help to tackle some of these challenges.

“The ERC chose to support a project based both on action and research, recognizing that the science journalism community deserves to establish its own ethical rules and best practices”, they write, in a commentary article for the Nature journal.

The FRONTIERS project is set to run from 2023 to 2027. During this time, the FRONTIERS Team plans to enable up to 40 science journalists to spend time with research teams, working on their own reporting ideas at institutions of their choice.

The full article can be read here (in English) and here (in Italian).

The FRONTIERS team gathered, on June 21 and 22, in Barcelona, to officially launch the ERC-funded project, FRONTIERS (Fellowship Residencies Offering science News professionals Tools and training for Independent and Ethical Reporting on Science). During the kick-off meeting, the partners discussed the project’s goals and established a detailed agenda for the implementation of the project’s objectives.

FRONTIERS is expected to implement residencies for science journalists within research institutions across Europe. Besides the residency program itself, the project will also develop a set of ethics principles, best practices and guidelines for journalistic fellowships in research institutions.

In the coming months, the FRONTIERS consortium, which includes the NOVA University of Lisbon (Portugal), the Pompeu Fabra University (Spain), the Center for Ethics in Science and Journalism (Italy) and the SME Enspire Science (Israel), will work together to develop and implement the first calls to the residency programs.