Briefly analysed
Networks are not only beneficial for the exchange among each other, but also for finding new collaboration partners. The National Institute for Science Communication in Germany – NaWik offers one for communicating scientists with access to protected discussion groups. The Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science connects not only researchers, but also experts from other fields such as public engagement or research management. In addition to the german community, the international community is also represented. Here, too, there is an open exchange about problems or other topics.
Exchange The National Institute for Science Communication in Germany – NaWik has a network for communicating scientists. The Berlin School connects researchers as well as experts from other fields. What do the networks offer?
Networking advances science communication and public engagement. The Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science has launched a program for international networking not only among researchers, but also among experts from other fields. It addresses both the SciComm and the public engagement community. The WissKon network of the NaWik is especially for communicating scientists.
The Wisskon-Network
On this platform you can exchange ideas, talk about experiences and projects or run through ideas. When registering, you have to indicate with keywords in which field you are active. This helps other members to find and contact you. You can also enter and present your own projects. A project must have project character, contain a picture and valid links. The entry will be editorially supervised if help is requested.
In addition to networking, NaWik provides a protected discussion space with a Lunchtalk series – for members only. Everybody should have the possibility to talk openly about projects, different topics of the SciComm or problems.
International Network of the Berlin School
In the international network of the Berlin School, members also talk openly about various topics. For this you can find people with different professional backgrounds. They come from the fields of public engagement, science communication, open science, research management or other related fields.
This offers the advantage of drawing on knowledge from other fields. It inspires and can lead to collaborations. The Berlin School team supports us in this and in general. The same applies if you want to use the various functionalities of the platform. For example, you can access an overview of the public engagement field or search for events. By the way, the Berlin School also offers a network for the German community only. This is set up in the same way as the international network, except that it is Germany-specific.
Conclusion
Everyone working in the field of SciComm and public engagement can find the right network for him or her. Either one stays among scientists in the Wisskon network. Or you can exchange ideas in the Berlin School network with people from different areas of both SciComm and public engagement. And you come into contact with international experts.
Links to the networks
Das NaWik-Netzwerk für kommunizierende Forschende WissKon (nawik-wisskon.de)
The International Community Hub | Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science
Die deutsche Community Hub | Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science