As part of the ImmunoKomm project, initiated by Nicole Boucheron from the Institute of Immunology at MedUni Vienna in cooperation with the Open Science association, young people aged between 16 and 19 were given an insight into the world of science communication. Interactive sessions and workshops focused not only on the basics of the immune system and how vaccinations work, but also on how to communicate these complex issues.
Together with experts from the media industry - molecular biologist Martin Moder and ORF science journalist Lukas Wieselberg - the project participants sharpened their communication skills and learned how to communicate complex scientific content in a comprehensible and target group-oriented way. The basis of the project was a research paper by Nicole Boucheron on the development and regulation of T’helper cells, which are crucial for the formation of antibodies and the development of immunological memory. The topic was specifically prepared by the students for different media formats - from print to video contributions for social media.
The main goal of ImmunoKomm was to foster enthusiasm for science in the younger generation and to raise critical awareness of science communication. "The pandemic has shown how important reliable information and comprehensible education on immunological topics are. With ImmunoKomm, young people were encouraged to present scientifically sound information in a popular-scientific way and thus contribute to the dissemination of trustworthy knowledge. The students achieved impressive results with their fresh ideas," Nicole Boucheron sums up.
The finished contributions can be viewed on the project’s website: https://pii.meduniwien.ac.at/unsere-abteilungen/institut-fuer-immunologie/wissenschaft-forschung/forschungsabteilungen/arbeitsgruppen/wissenschaftskommunikation/immunokomm/
