La ciencia en los medios de comunicación. 25 años de contribuciones de Vladimir de Semir

The first Science supplement of La Vanguardia saw the light on 10 October 1982. Exactly 25 years later, in the scope of Barcelona’s Year of Science, the Esteve Foundation’s Booklet Science and Mass Media was presented in homage to this publishing initiative and to the person that was key to its design and conception: science journalist Vladimir de Semir.

The act was held at El Palauet of Barcelona and was attended by personalities of renown in the fields of science and communication, such asJordi Camí, director of the Biomedical Research Park of Barcelona; Antoni Vila Casas, chairman of the Vila Casas Foundation; Anna Veiga, director of the Stem Cell Bank of the Regenerative Medicine Center of Barcelona;Miquel Vilardell, director of the journal Medicina Clínica; and journalistSalvador Alsius.

Science and Mass Media gathers some of the most representative articles written by Vladimir de Semir since the very first Science supplement of La Vanguardia –one of de Semir’s most well-known adventures– saw the light 25 years ago. De Semir’s contribution to science journalism as a manager, teacher, communicator and fosterer of multiple initiatives (the latest being the celebration of the Year of Science in Barcelona), is reflected in the 42 articles gathered in the book presented last 10 October 2007.

Subjects selected in this new Esteve Foundation publication range from the first orbital telescope –the opening shot of La Vanguardia’s supplement in 1982– to De Semir’s recent reflections as director of the Scientific Communication Observatory, as well as many other articles published in different media.

La Vanguardia’s Science supplement (later called Ciencia y Tecnología) and its peer Salud y Calidad de Vida (later called Medicina y Salud) were to open a window on broad science for many readers and the possibility of direct communicaton with society for many scientists. Today, these supplements are still remembered by many as a valuable enterprise worthy of applause.