From Theory to Impact: Practical Strategies for Collaborative Science Communication
EMME Summer School for Science Communication 2025
21 - 25 September 2025 | Pavilion of Knowledge, Lisbon
The Euro-Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) Summer School for Science Communication
From the shores of the Euro-Mediterranean to the heart of the Middle East, a shared history intertwines nations facing similar horizons. In a rapidly evolving landscape, the need for stronger connections and a commitment to democratic growth and robust institutions has never been more critical. Imagine a future fueled by sustainable progress, where opportunity flourishes for all.
Science centers, museums, and the vibrant world of science engagement stand ready to be powerful catalysts for this change. The EMME Summer School steps onto this stage with a clear mission: to empower existing science engagement initiatives, spark the creation of new ones across the Euro-Mediterranean and Middle East, and foster a dynamic dialogue that bridges divides. Together, we will equip these vital hubs to become active drivers of growth and development within their communities.
Elevate Your Science Engagement Impact at the EMME Summer School 2025!
Join us in Lisbon, Portugal, 21-25 September, for an intensive 5-day training at Ciência Viva's Pavilion of Knowledge. This program is your launchpad to mastering collaborative science communication, leveraging cutting-edge AI tools, and co-creating impactful programs with your communities—from engaging youth and policymakers to developing compelling exhibitions. Learn from global leaders and gain practical strategies to transform your science center or organization into a powerful agent of change. Don't miss this opportunity to network, innovate, and drive meaningful engagement with science and technology!
Who Should Attend?
This exclusive event welcomes middle- and senior-level professionals who are shaping the future of science engagement at science centers and related organizations. Whether you are a valued member of the NAMES or Ciência Viva networks, or a partner invited by our organizations, this is your chance to collaborate and learn. Please note that spaces are limited to 45 participants to ensure an intimate and impactful learning environment. Our shared language for this exciting journey is English.
What to Expect at the EMME Summer School 2025?
The EMME Summer School is meticulously designed to provide you with practical skills and theoretical understanding. Expect an energizing blend of:
- Hands-on Learning: Dive into active workshops grounded in real-world practice and backed by insightful theory.
- Interactive Engagement: Collaborate with peers and experts in dynamic sessions that encourage participation and knowledge sharing.
- Tailored Content: Explore relevant topics specifically curated for the needs of science centers and diverse science engagement organizations.
EMME 2025 Registration Fees
| Membership Status | Early Bird Rate (until 31 July) | Standard Rate (until 31 August) |
| NAMES & Ciência Viva Members | EUR 600 | EUR 700 |
| Non-members | EUR 700 | EUR 800 |
Can I apply for a grant?
Ciência Viva is offering 3 partial grants to boost participation from the NAMES network members and the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. The grant will cover the registration fee and accommodation of eligible nominees selected by NAMES and Ciência Viva. Find out more by clicking the link below.
PROGRAMME
Sunday, 21 September | WELCOME
18.00 - 18.30 Official Opening Ceremony
Rosalia Vargas, President of Ciência Viva
Maissa Azab, Executive Director of the North Africa and Middle East Science centers network
18.30 Welcome Cocktail and Ice-breaker
Monday, 22 September | MANAGEMENT & AI
9.30 - 11.00 Science Centre Hack
Explore the Pavilion of Knowledge exhibitions and facilities.
Experiences for setting up group discussions throughout the summer school. Facilities include the permanent exhibitions in 2025: The Science Behind PIXAR, Tcharan! Circus of Science Experiments, Explore, and Fishanário; as well as a Laboratory, a Science Kitchen, a Library, an Auditorium and a Meeting Room.
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee Break
11.30 - 12.30 Talk
The Hidden Life of a Science Centre
By Rosalia Vargas, President of Ciência Viva
Behind the colorful scenery of a science centre there is a very complex apparatus of machinery, cables, personnel, and everyday logistics that make sure all the visitors experience the wonder of science discovery.
In this session, we will go through some of the key elements that are part of the day-to-day of a science centre, and that are normally unknown to the public. Science centres are normally huge buildings, that require dozens of permanent technical staff to assure that a fun and safe experience is provided to every single visitor that enters through the doors.
A science center is certainly not a classroom but should have room for a class: science centers should respond to schools and challenge the schools. Is there a hidden room where children have unforgettable lessons exploring science with direct contact with researchers? With less visibility to the general audience than the exhibitions, the educational projects promoted in collaboration with researchers, teachers and students are the driving force to reach a positive change in youth’s attitude towards science and STEM in general.
A science center is certainly not a political parliament but is a place for debating science-based controversies and a place for networking scientists and non scientists. What doors will open so that your public will love you more?
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch (with email break)
Portuguese Bites: Savour and Learn
14.00 - 15.00 Talk
AI Now
By Paulo Dimas, Vice President of Product Innovation at Unbabel
In this talk, participants will learn about the latest developments in AI, current challenges as well as the use of AI in a responsible way and the usefulness of AI for optimization of processes in organizations such as science centres.
15.00 - 18.00 Workshop
AI in Science Communication - Demystifying and Harnessing Emerging Technologies
By Luís Azevedo Rodrigues, Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos
This workshop is designed for professionals in science museums (exhibitions, education, collections, marketing) with beginner to intermediate AI knowledge, aiming to use AI ethically and effectively to engage visitors. Participants will learn foundational AI concepts, explore Explainable AI (XAI), and gain hands-on experience with generative tools for creating visual, video, and 3D content. The program emphasizes human-centric, ethical AI aligned with UNESCO and EU guidelines. It includes practical sessions on prompt engineering, multimedia creation, and strategic planning. Participants will leave with a toolkit for responsible AI integration in museums and actionable strategies for implementation.
Tuesday, 23 September | PROGRAMMING
10.00- 11.00 Keynote and Discussion
The Interplay Between Science & Society
By Pedro Russo, Director of Ciência Viva and Professor at Leiden University, the Netherlands
The dynamic interplay between science and society is a complex negotiation, where each influences and shapes the other. Society provides the context, funding, and ethical boundaries for scientific research, while science offers knowledge and technological advancements that can transform societal structures and values. This relationship is often measured and analyzed through large-scale surveys like the Eurobarometer in Europe, and similar studies conducted in the USA and other regions. These surveys reveal public perceptions of science, levels of scientific literacy, and trust in scientific institutions, highlighting the fluctuating power dynamics. Factors such as media representation, and public understanding of scientific processes significantly impact this relationship, leading to both periods of strong collaboration and instances of tension or mistrust. The data from these surveys are essential for policy makers, scientists, and educators but also for Science Centres to understand, plan, strategize and navigate the ever-evolving connection between science and society.
11.00 - 11.30 Coffee Break
11.30 - 12.30 Case Study & Workshop
Science Communication - Co-creating Programs with Scientists and Communities
By Cátia Cardoso, Head of the Department of Public Engagement with Science and Technology at Ciência Viva
Co-creation is a collaborative process where scientists and community members work together to design, implement, and evaluate science communication programs. They highlight the value of incorporating diverse perspectives, including those of underrepresented groups, to ensure programs are relevant and impactful. With this talk we want to discuss how co-creation fosters mutual understanding by combining scientific knowledge with community insights and lived experiences and present successful examples, such as citizen science projects or sustainability initiatives, where scientists and communities collaboratively addressed societal challenges.
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 16.00 Case Study
Solar Eclipses for Public Engagement: Developing Programs for the 2027 Solar Eclipse
By Sævar Bargason, Science Educator at the Natural Science Museum of Kópavogur University of Iceland
The 2027 Total Solar Eclipse offers the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Science Centers a rare and powerful once-in-a-generation opportunity to engage the public in science, foster international collaboration, and promote public understanding of astronomy through one of the most spectacular natural events.
Participants are challenged to develop programs of hands-on activities: many resources are available for educators and families to conduct eclipse-related activities, enhancing understanding of solar science and how to promote community involvement by engaging local communities to set up telescopes and capture images of the eclipse, fostering a sense of collective scientific endeavor.
16.00 - 16.30 Coffee Break
16.30 - 18.00 Case Study
Creating Long-Lasting and National Wide Programs
By Ana Noronha, Executive Director of Ciência Viva
With this workshop we want to emphasize how co-creation fosters trust between scientists and the public, encouraging open dialogue and long-term partnerships and share real-world examples of co-created science communication programs to inspire participants, such as Ciência Viva in the Summer and Scientific Ocupation of young students in the Laboratory, among others.
Wednesday, 24 September | COMMUNITIES
9.30 - 12.30 Case Study
Tough audiences first
By Fatema H. Alqallaf, Senior Educational Programmer, Education & Programs Department, The Scientific Center of Kuwait
With our “no audience left behind” mentality, we were able to reach the "unreachable" audiences. In this case study, we will follow the journey of a visitor at the scientific center from 13 years old throughout the years. We will showcase things that went right in our journey, and how science centers can inspire generations. Winning over the "why should I care" is an artform we aim to perfect. Where does change stem from, if not from within? This will focus on a specific case study and real-world experiences from both our programs and visitor engagement here at The Scientific Center of Kuwait and in Kuwait.
12.30 - 14.00 Lunch (with email break)
14.00 - 18.00 Case Study & Workshop
Engaging with Hard-to-get Target Audiences: young people and policy makers
By Camilla Tham, Head of International Partnerships at the Natural History Museum
This workshop will focus on the competences and tools that can facilitate working with difficult to reach audiences in the context of science engagement.
Thursday, 25 September | EXHIBITIONS DEVELOPMENT
9.00 - 10.30 Travel from Lisbon to Ciência Viva Centre of Lousal (CCV Lousal, 130 km)
10.30 - 11.00 Arrival and Welcome Coffee
11.00 - 13.00 Case Study
Conceptualization Process: Outline the Steps Involved in Designing Science Exhibitions
How to create engaging and impactful exhibitions. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we offer distinct workshops that can be tailored to address specific needs and interests. Participants can choose to focus on one or more key aspects of exhibition development.
By Mafalda Frade, Exhibitions Department of the Pavillion of Knowledge and Álvaro Pinto, Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva do Lousal
CLEVERFOOD: CASE STUDY 1
LUMINAR: CASE STUDY 2
13.00 - 14.30 Lunch and Visit to CCV Lousal
Nowadays, the Lousal Ciência Viva Science Centre is a treasure trove of geological and mineral sciences. The georesources available at this location are gifts from Earth itself. At this centre, you can learn more about minerals and metals, how they were formed and how we make use of them today, as well as explore other fields of research like physics and chemistry.
14.30 - 16.00 Visit to the Underground Mine
By Álvaro Pinto, Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva do Lousal
Are you ready for a trip to the centre of the Earth? The Waldemar Mining Gallery, at CCV Lousal, holds a variety of activities in its undergound tunels. In this visit, you can spot protected bat species, study muons that travel through rock, or learn about high-quality wines being stored in the quietness of the mine.
16.00 - 19.00 Closing and Feedback Session
19.00 - 21.00 Dinner at the Museum
21.00 Return to Lisbon
Rosalia Vargas
Rosalia Vargas is the President of Ciência Viva - National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture, Portugal, and Director of the Pavilion of Knowledge, the Lisbon Science Centre. Since 1996, has been leading the creation of a network of science centres in Portugal, currently with 21 members. President of Ecsite (2013-2015) and board member of ASTC (2016-2022). Her academic and professional development covers Education, Media Studies, Political Governance, and Scientific and Technological Culture. Other key positions include: Member of the discussion group of the “Museums in the Future” project, created by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture, member of the Council for Monitoring the National Plan for the Arts, member of Open University Advisory Board; member of the International Committee of Copernicus Science Centre, Warsaw. Elected by the Jury of Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers List 2022.
Maissa Azab
Maissa Azab has 20 years of experience working in not-for-profit event and project management, as well as writing, editing, and publishing. Currently, Maissa is the Executive Director of the NAMES network, where she strategizes and oversees the fulfilment of the network’s mission, goals, and objectives. She leads a multi-functional team, developing and offering unique services, activities, and projects that aim to build and reinforce the science engagement community in North Africa and Middle East! Her passion and mission is engaging, informing, educating, and inspiring communities and individuals, whether science engagement professionals or the public at large.
Maissa is also the Head of the Cultural Outreach Publications Unit at the Library of Alexandria and Editor-in-Chief of SCIplanet, a science popularization magazine published in Arabic and English. She manages a team of four editors and two graphic designers, producing mostly promotional, but also educational, publications for 15 different departments within the Cultural Outreach Sector that aim to promote and popularize science, art, and heritage through a diversity of activities. SCIplanet magazine, both printed and online, was Maissa's initiative and it has greatly developed since it was launched as a newsletter in 2009.
Paulo Dimas
Paulo Dimas is the Vice President of Product Innovation at Unbabel, contributing to building the world’s first Language Operations platform combining AI and human intelligence. Paulo is also the CEO of the Center for Responsible AI, a consortium led by Unbabel joining AI startups, research centers, one law firm, and industry-leading companies with the mission to spark the next generation of AI products driven by the principles and technologies of Responsible AI.
Luís Azevedo Rodrigues
Since 2011, Luís Azevedo Rodrigues has served as the Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos, bringing a solid background in Paleontology (PhD) and extensive experience in science communication, teaching, and museum research. He leads innovative projects in science tourism, digital education, and the integration of AI in science communication, with international workshops and pioneering 3D content. He has contributed to European initiatives such as EuroScitizen and Make It Open and has presented at global science centre summits. As a science writer and editor, he reaches broad audiences through newspapers, podcasts, and blogs. His work bridges research, education, and technology to make science accessible to all.
Pedro Russo
Pedro Russo is a University Professor in Astronomy & Society at Leiden University, the Netherlands and a member of the board of directors of Ciência Viva, the Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture. Pedro leads the Astronomy & Society Group. Dr. Russo was the global coordinator for the United Nation's International Year of Astronomy 2009. Pedro is involved with several international organizations, like the International Astronomical Union, European Astronomical Society, ECSITE. His work has received several awards, including Seeds Special Award 2009, Scientix Best Educational Resource in 2015 and 2016, Most Innovative Educational Activities in 2017 and 2018 by HundrED, 2018 Leiden University’s K.J. Cath Prize and the first NWO Science Communication Award in 2020.
Cátia Cardoso
Cátia Cardoso is, currently, the Head of the Department of Public Engagement with Science and Technology at Ciência Viva the Portuguese National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture. She has been pursuing a career in science as an astronomer, a science communicator, and an educator. She was awarded her PhD in Astrophysics in 2012, from the University of Exeter, and continued her research career as a post-doc at the Astronomical Observatory of Turin. In 2014, she transitioned to the field of science communication and education and became the ESERO Portugal project manager at Ciência Viva. Between 2017 and early 2024, she was a STEM Didactics Expert within the European Space Agency Education Office.
Sævar Bargason
Sævar Helgi Bragason is an science educator and communicator. He has background in geology and astronomy with years of experience teaching astronomy to people of all ages. Sævar is a frequent guest on radio to talk about science in general, as well as being the host of a prime time TV show on science and technology. He is an author of best selling books on science for kids and adults. What Sævar enjoys the most is to look up into a starry sky and show others the wonders of the universe, be it with naked-eye or through a telescope. Sævar has received numerous awards and recognitions for outstanding science communication.
Ana Noronha
Ana Noronha is Executive Director of Ciência Viva, the Portuguese agency for scientific culture. At Ciência Viva, she coordinates initiatives about education and public awareness of science at national and international level, particularly on space science and ocean literacy. She coordinates the ESERO Portugal (European Space Education Resource Office established with ESA), advises the Space Group of the European Association of science centres and museums (ECSITE) and belongs to the ESA Advisory Committee on Education. With a PhD in Physics, she previously worked at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.
Fatema Alqallaf
Senior Educational Programmer I 2025- present The Scientific Center of Kuwait• Supervised Educational programmers and guided them to create successfulprogramming• Trained Educators and Trainers on science communication, program facilitationand how to foster critical thinking skills in the youth and the workspace.
Explainer I 2021-2024 The Scientific Center of Kuwait• Designed, developed and delivered science programs for people of all ages andbackgrounds with a heavy focus on science communication.• Taught science-based programs using STEAM methodologies and inquiry basedlearning to students, educators and professionals in different fields.• Demonstrated strong administrative skills in maintaining office records, budgetingand financial records.
Wayne State University, Detroit, Ml I 2015-2020 Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences• Minor in philosophy• Research with Youth Empowerment Solutions for HealthyRelationships (YES-HR)• Kuwaiti Organization president
Álvaro Pinto
Álvaro Manuel Madureira Pinto got his graduation in geology by the University of Porto and his master’s degree in mineralogy and metallogeny by the University of Lisbon. He was mineralogist at the Neves Corvo mine and later at the National Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Lisbon. He was soon invited assistant professor at FCUL (Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa), where is currently a senior technician and a Researcher of the IDL – Instituto Dom Luíz da Universidade de Lisboa (IDL). He was part of the organization of national and international scientific congresses and meetings and took part in 5 international oceanographic missions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Artic Oceans. Álvaro engaged in several scientific research projects promoted by both the industry and academy. He is the author or co-author of more than three dozen scientific texts published in national and foreign journals. Álvaro has been guest speaker in both national and international organizations. He remains linked to the national and international mining industry in the field of applied minerology and geometallurgy. Additionally, is member of the Commission for the Portuguese Geology Olympiad (CNOG). Currently and since its establishment in 2010, he is the Executive Director of Centro Ciência Viva do Lousal – Mina de Ciência which comprises various spaces, including the Science Centre, an underground mining gallery, an open-pit mining operation and a Mining Museum, housed in the old Lousal Mine Power Plant.
Mafalda Frade
Mafalda Frade, who graduated in Animal Biology from the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon, is an experienced, creative, and enthusiastic professional with skills in Experience Design, Scientific Communication, and Content Development.
Passionate about transforming knowledge into memorable experiences, Mafalda has been immersed in scientific communication within museums since 2000. With more than two decades of experience, she has specialised in designing and developing exhibitions focused on science, aiming to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding when addressing urgent issues.
In 2016, she joined the Exhibition Team at Ciência Viva, where she has actively contributed to the conception, development, and adaptation of unique and innovative science and technology experiences and exhibitions on a wide range of trending topics that have been attracting and engaging millions of visitors.
Camilla Tham
Camilla Tham is a British museum professional and climate communicator known for her work at the Natural History Museum in London.As of 2025, she serves as the Head of International Partnerships, focusing on global collaboration and public engagement around climate change, biodiversity, and the Anthropocene.Tham has played a central role in the museum’s climate-focused programming, including the award-winning "Our Broken Planet" exhibition series, which was a finalist in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Action Awards in 2022. She also led the "Generation Hope" initiative, a multi-day event combining science, storytelling, and activism to inspire climate action across generations. In addition to her curatorial and partnership work, Tham has represented the museum at major international forums such as COP27 and COP15, where she chaired discussions on using art and science to engage the public in environmental issues. Her academic background includes a degree from the University of Bath. Through her work, Camilla Tham has helped position the Natural History Museum as a leading voice in climate education and public engagement.
