Communication & Training Unit

The Communication and Training Unit is the Institute’s first line of interaction with society, particularly with the media and with younger generations. The Unit has dedicated collaborators to address Media relations and Science & Society activities, in collaboration with national and international partners.

Our Unit works towards a high-standard advanced training at IMM, in particular the IMM International PhD Programme, and provides assistance on funding and grant management issues.

Invitation to Scientists

Setting the stage
Researcher’s Night 2009

This year, in Portugal, scientists will celebrate the “Researcher’s Night” in a very special way: through theatre!

It is our great pleasure to invite all scientists to participate in this thrilling experience, which will empower all participants with a novel way of expression through performing arts, a different insight on their work and another way of communicating with the public. (see invitation for theatre workshop bellow).

The European Researcher´s Night aims at engaging the public with science and, in particular, with scientists. The initiative is held annually since 2005 in several EU member states and intends to involve scientists in the construction of a more realistic image of the scientists, breaking down stereotypes and bridging the gap between scientists and the public.

In 2009, Researcher´s Night will be held on the 25th September in several European cities. In Portugal, a project involving research centres, a SME, a science museum and several theatre groups, will celebrate this event by delivering simultaneously in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Faro a series of theatre performances.

In Lisbon, scientists will set the stage at Fundação Gulbenkian and use physical theatre, stand up comedy and forum theatre to share with the public their experiences as contemporary researchers.

In Porto, scientists will be at the stage and among the public, involved in different plays focusing on Darwin, Galileo and the challenges that scientists face during their careers.

In Coimbra, comedy will take Darwin to the public, whereas in another play Jules Verne will be the starting point to engage society in scientific knowledge.
In Faro, interaction between scientists and the public will focus on Darwin’s life and discoveries, through plays dedicated to children and adults.

Workshop “Setting the stage”

In Lisbon, we are already preparing the event.
We will use three approaches – physical theatre, stand up comedy and forum theatre. The Workshop “Setting the stage”, which will be held on 18-19 April and 25-26 April (see attached program and application form), aims at introducing scientists to these three approaches, so that they get to know them and choose which one they wish to work on in future rehearsals.
Rehearsals will occur from May and will culminate in the performances during the Researcher’s Night (25th September).

For further information visit the blog http://blogs.publico.pt/cientistasaopalco or send us an e-mail to cientistasaopalco@gmail.com.

Join us!
workshop registration form Workshop Setting the Stage

Communication

- Institutional
- Website
- Outreach
- Media

The Communication and Training Unit is the Institute’s first line of interaction with society, particularly with the media and with younger generations. The Unit has dedicated collaborators to address Media relations and Science and Society activities, in collaboration with national and international partners.

In order to achieve this we can offer:
- a dedicated team trained in both science and in science communication, experienced in adapting and disseminating research results to a wide range of audiences and able to translate contents from English to Portuguese in a scientific rigorous manner
- direct access to researchers experienced on educational activities involving teachers and students (primary, secondary and university)
- privileged contacts with schools from the Greater Lisbon area
- direct access to approx. 350 biomedical researchers working on Cell and Developmental Biology, Neurosciences or Immunology subjects

International PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences

The IMM International PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences represents a strong commitment of the institute to a high quality training of graduate students in Biomedicine. The Programme aims to promote a solid and integrated scientific education. Training is based on “hands on” laboratory practice and complemented with additional activities such as workshops, seminars and courses intended to develop scientific and personal skills of students.
For more details please go to PhD Section

Funding & Grant Management

Our Unit also provides assistance and advice on funding and grant management issues. Both IMM researchers and future collaborators can find support for national and international funding, for grant applications, contract negotiation, and information on funding opportunities. For the latter, please go to the Funding Section

IMM course “Scientists and the media: how and why”
12-13 February, 2009
Organizer: Marta Agostinho
Venue: IMM

Summarized contents and programme

Communication & Training Unit
Instituto de Medicina Molecular
Av. Prof. Egas Moniz - Edifício Egas Moniz
1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal

Tel. (+351) 21 7999 411 (Ext 47023)
Fax (+351) 21 7999 412
E-mail: imm@fm.ul.pt