Scientific Café: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Society

As part of the VISION Project’s Open Science activities, a Scientific Café was organised to explore an important question: How can we reduce the gap between science, researchers and society?

The event brought together researchers, professionals and members of the wider community for an open discussion on science communication, public engagement and the importance of making research more accessible. The format encouraged dialogue and exchange, creating space to reflect on how scientific knowledge can be communicated in ways that are clear, relevant and meaningful beyond the research community.

A key part of the event was an interactive Science Slam, where participants were challenged to transform scientific topics into engaging and accessible stories. Through this dynamic format, they explored how storytelling, creativity and effective communication can help researchers connect their work with different audiences.

The Scientific Café highlighted several principles at the heart of Open Science: transparency, accessibility, dialogue and collaboration. Making research more accessible is not only about sharing scientific results, but also about creating opportunities for society to engage with science, ask questions and participate in conversations around research and innovation.

The event featured contributions from Dorra Wider, Zied Bouslama and Yasmine Chebbi, who shared their perspectives and expertise on science communication and public engagement.

The presence of journalist Wafa Barka Dardouri, together with the active participation of attendees, further enriched the discussions and encouraged exchange between scientific and non-scientific perspectives.

Through initiatives such as the Scientific Café, VISION continues to promote a more open, accessible and connected research culture, strengthening dialogue between researchers and the communities they serve.