The First School of Excellence in Messina trains science journalists for the knowledge society.
The first School of Excellence for Science Journalism is inaugurated at the University of Messina, with the participation of opinion journalists and international speakers. Through innovative approaches, participants will explore important topics such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and pandemics. The course aims to promote ethically sustainable public communication of science and to form citizens knowledgeable about science and technology.
The first distinguished school of science journalism officially started at the University of Messina. From July 24-28, internationally renowned opinion journalists and speakers will discuss the direction in which the science narrative is heading and its role in building a knowledge-based society.
Organized on the premises of Polo Papardo and Villa Pace, the School represents a commendable initiative of the University of Messina and the Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti. Each year, institutions reward their most deserving students with exclusive courses, and this year the focus was on science journalism.
Modern science journalism is no longer just limited to reporting the results of scientific research, but also focused on spreading “scientific citizenship”. In other words, it aims to involve all citizens in understanding issues related to science and technology in order to consciously interpret daily life.
During the lessons, topical issues will be dealt with through different communication languages. We will discuss complex systems, climate change, extreme weather events, life in extravagant conditions, the relationship between art and science, artificial intelligence and pandemics. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn the basic techniques of general science communication, which is essential to Mission III journalism, and which allow universities to interact directly with society.
Among the distinguished speakers are such eminent personalities as Professor Salvatore Magazzo, Dean of Physics at the University of Messina, and Researcher Maria Teresa Caccamo, Scientific Directors of the School of Excellence. Moreover, cultural figures of international stature, such as Dr. Emma Shenjie Chen Wang and Dr. Guo Wei of UCAS Beijing’s Tsung-Dao Li Center for Science and Art in Beijing, praised the initiative and called for the creation of synergies between European and Eastern academic institutions.
There will also be moments of training with writer Rino Cerritelli who will deal with humorous skills in the service of science. Also interesting are the speeches given by the physician and journalist Giuseppe Ruggeri, and by the science journalist Gianluca Rossellini, to Giovanni Piuggia, Rector of the Cnr Irib Institute in Messina.
The school will also host important Italian and foreign science journalists, such as Romolo Stecci, director and creator of the program “Pixel” broadcast on Ray Tree, and Barbara Carfagna, former journalist of Tg1 and current presenter of “Codice”. Life is digital.” The relationship between scientific and artistic communication will also be touched upon, with the intervention of Maestro Dimitri Salonya, who will present an exhibition with his scientific creations.
An important aspect will be devoted to artificial intelligence (AI) analysis, to stress the risks of “data hacking” based on big data and “misinformation” associated with fake news. Experts stress the importance of addressing such risks in an ethically sustainable way, and ensuring that the benefits of AI outweigh the risks.
The first School of Excellence in Science Journalism in Messina promises to be a high-level training event, contributing to the growth of competent and informed journalists, able to communicate science in a transparent and accessible way, in the era when science and society meet more than ever before.
© Reproduction Reserved.
“Infuriatingly humble social media buff. Twitter advocate. Writer. Internet nerd.”
