Local Authorities and Communicators Engaged in Science: PLACES Impact Assessment Case Study of Prague

Abstract

Local Authorities and Communicators Engaged in Science: PLACES* Impact Assessment Case Study of Prague Abstract: Regional aspects of science communication represent a potential asset and as such are quite suitable topic for further examination with respect to future social and economic development in Prague based on the city's main development strategies. Closer analysis of SCIP aspects at re- gional level can present a suitable complement for development of suitable measures and projects of the regional innovation and education policies. This study focuses on research questions related to regional dimension of science communication, its impacts and suitable tools. Document analysis and questionnaire distributed among selected experts were chosen as tools for elaboration of the study. Results suggest that regional dimension of science communication policy and initiatives (SCIP) is a relevant one in case of Prague. However, the attention given to this topic by national and regional authorities is unsatisfactory resulting in lack of co-ordination of activities of the respective stakeholders. Impacts of SCIP, as far as causality can be identified, lie in encouraging young people in their interest in science, increasing awareness of general public in science-related issues and explaining role of science in society and problems that science (as a sector) is facing. To maximise effects of science communication there is a space for national and regional authorities to play an integrating role. Given the concentration of SCIP actors, the City of Prague could aspire to develop its science communication policy in order to promote itself as a Central European centre of science. Keywords: science communication policy and initiatives; regional dimension of science communication; city of scientific culture * PLACES Project „Platform of Local Authorities and Communicators Engaged in Science" is the four-year European project (2011-2014), financed from FP7, establishing and developing the concept of the European City of Scientific Culture. The overall goal of PLACES Project is to offer, to a wide and diverse community of actors, a common platform to structure their science communications activities, at a city/regional level.