Armenian astrophysicists are now practicing a new sphere – the science PR. The organizer is the Armenian Astronomical Community and the president of the organization Areg Miqaelyan.
Already 86 journalists and science workers have entered the new Facebook group “Science Journalists of Armenia” where they discuss topics and exchange information.
According to Areg Miqaelyan, after the Facebook page was created, the number of publications and programs on science has obviously increased. And on April 16, a seminar on the issues of science journalism was organized at the Byurakan observatory for more than 30 members of the group where the journalists were introduced to the history of the observatory, the achivements of modern astronomy, international cooperation in this field, programs and problems of the observatory. The presentations were made by Areg Miqaelyan and the head of the observatory Hayk Harutyunyan.
The world has changed, and if in Soviet times scientists made explorings by orders from above and didn’t publish their works, today a lot depends on the presentation of the sceintist’s material.
Armenian astrophysicists are now practicing a new sphere – the science PR. The organizer is the Armenian Astronomical Community and the president of the organization Areg Miqaelyan.
Already 86 journalists and science workers have entered the new Facebook group “Science Journalists of Armenia” where they discuss topics and exchange information.
According to Areg Miqaelyan, after the Facebook page was created, the number of publications and programs on science has obviously increased. And on April 16, a seminar on the issues of science journalism was organized at the Byurakan observatory for more than 30 members of the group where the journalists were introduced to the history of the observatory, the achivements of modern astronomy, international cooperation in this field, programs and problems of the observatory. The presentations were made by Areg Miqaelyan and the head of the observatory Hayk Harutyunyan.
The world has changed, and if in Soviet times scientists made explorings by orders from above and didn’t publish their works, today a lot depends on the presentation of the sceintist’s material.
“We face a problem of senior generation that does not accept the new conditions and is not even able to use a computer,” says Miqaelyan. Today, workers of the Byurakan observatory, as well as other scientific institutions of the country, receive additional funding for their projects from foreign grants. To win a grant one only needs to have skills of “project promotion”.
About the need of PR in science Areg Miqaelyan first thought after talking to his American colleague who adviced the scientists to take care of the field themeselves for no one would do that instead of them.
“A whole department of PR experts and managers work in western scientific institutions, and only a few people – at the Science Academy of Armenia, moreover, their responsibilities are limitted to sending press releases on the official events of the Academy,” says Areg Miqaelyan.
The scientist says that the idea aims to return the respect towards science and scientists, so it is necessary to cooperate with journalists. To keep journalists interested in science, the Armenian Astronomy Community in partnership with the Armenian Scientific Oxford Community announced a competition for the best journalistic publications on science. The articles will be reviewed by the jury members of which are science workers and experienced journalists.
Source: JNews.am
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