13. 02. 2026
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Last week, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the second annual Science Communication 360° (open in a new window) conference took place at the Jinonice Campus, offering a comprehensive overview of the current trends and challenges in science communication and popularisation. The event brought together scientists, communicators, journalists, and representatives of institutions and addressed topics ranging from working with the media and social networks to the ethics of science communication and the involvement of the public and students in research.
The event was jointly organised by the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, and the SciComHub association.
The morning programme opened with two keynote lectures focused on the changes in science communication. Christina Beck, Head of Communications at the Max Planck Society, presented the approach of one of the world’s most prestigious research institutions, which, with 31 Nobel Prize winners, ranks among the best. In her lecture, she focused on the impacts of algorithmisation and the importance of building long-term relationships with the public. Tomáš Koblížek from the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences then spoke about his personal experience with popularising science and the challenges of communicating sensitive topics in a polarised society, such as freedom of speech and hate speech.
The afternoon part was organised as interactive discussion forums, in which participants jointly sought practical ways to improve the environment for science communication in the Czech Republic. Among the invited guests of the panel discussion on institutional support for science communication was Petr Caletka, PR specialist at the IEM CAS. The discussion focused on the role of institutions in the systematic development of science communication, support for scientists, and anchoring these activities in everyday practice.
“If we want the public to understand and trust science, we must communicate it clearly and responsibly. Such communication, however, cannot rely solely on individuals’ goodwill. To be effective and sustainable in the long term, it requires institutional support. This is why I particularly appreciate that the IEM CAS sets an example of good practice in this area and recognises science popularisation as an integral part of research, approaching it with the same seriousness as scientific excellence,” shared Petr Caletka.
Other guests were Halina Jílková, Head of Communications at CEITEC MUNI, and Martin Nosko, a member of the Praesidium of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and jointly responsible for science promotion and communication. The panel offered perspectives from both the Czech and Slovak environments and sparked a debate on how institutions can create conditions for high-quality, credible science communication in a long-term, meaningful way.