Insights and oversights from science-policy interface

Program (subject to minor changes)

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch, restaurant PLATS at Hanaholmen

13.00-13.30: Welcome, Programme Manager Janne Wikström, Hanaholmen – Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre

13.30-14.00: Keynote speech on current and future needs of knowledge brokering in the science-policy interface, President Atte Jääskeläinen, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra (the speaker and exact topic to be confirmed)

14.00-14.45: Panel Discussion: Together or better alone? Collaboration and competition in knowledge brokering from the perspective of cultural and academic Institutes

We invite you to join a panel discussion on how academic and cultural institutes balance collaboration and competition. As we compete for the same resources, funding, and audiences, how can we enhance impactful communication and cooperation and make the most of our networks?

Moderator, Specialist Suvi Lahtonen, The Committee for Public Information
Director Hanna Lämsä, The Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes
Director, Clotilde Tachon, The Institute of France in Finland
Other panellists tbc

Klo 14.45-15.00: Break

Klo 15.00-16.00: Workshops:

Innovative practices in the age of poly-crisis – How does the science community deal with different types of ongoing crises?

The challenges today’s societies face are vast, complex and rapidly changing. Rapid crises also result in fast knowledge needs, which peer-reviewed research cannot always keep up. Yet, researchers have a lot of expertise that could benefit the societal response to these crises. How can research knowledge be synthesised and communicated to policy-makers and society in such crises? How should researchers’ broader expertise be utilised and communicated?

This workshop dives into different knowledge brokering strategies for responding to knowledge needs in crises. It draws on the lessons from recent major examples, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The session is organised interactively. Communications Manager Piritta Rautavuori (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, THL) will give a short presentation, followed by a World Café-style discussion.

Insights and Oversights of Measuring Impact in Science Communication

Are you involved in science communication and want to better understand how to measure its impact? Without proper measurement, it’s hard to know if you’ve met your goals or what the real effect of your efforts is. Join our workshop, “Insights and Oversights of Measuring Impact in Science Communication.”

We’ll explore various tools and frameworks for evaluating success, moving beyond traditional metrics to assess broader impact—such as public engagement, co-design, and policy influence. Through real-world case studies and group discussions, you’ll gain fresh perspectives and actionable strategies to enhance your science communication efforts.

In addition to this, the workshop will include a presentation by Senior Researcher from the INVEST Research Flagship Centre Sanna Herkama from the University of Turku, followed by a facilitated discussion. The discussion will focus on what makes collaboration successful between researchers and science communication professionals to ensure societal impact.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own examples of effective science communication to share and discuss with the group.

The workshop is facilitated by Anna Kotaviita, Head of Communications of the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies (TSV).

Klo 16.00-17.00: Cocktail Mingle

The seminar “Is current knowledge brokering impactful? Insights and oversights from the science-policy interface” is part of Finland’s largest science event, Science Forum, taking place from January 8–12, 2025. On Friday, January 10th, there will be many interesting English-language sessions on different science topics. Also, on Thursday, January 9th, Night of Science will have several English-language events across Helsinki. The full program for Science Forum will be published on October 24th. We warmly recommend exploring the program!