Today we find ourselves in a period of history defined by the evolution and transition from an industrial society to the so-called knowledge society, whose development is primarily based on the rapid incorporation of scientific innovation into everyday life. The transformations which accompany this evolution are not just economic, but also cultural and social. For this reason, it is becoming increasingly necessary to implement strategies for the dissemination of this new knowledge and its possible uses and applications, as well as the ethical, social, economic and political questions it raises.
Scientific communication , understood as the process of public transmission and circulation of scientific knowledge has an essential role to play in the development of society. Science affects all aspects of human life: professional, intellectual, health, environmental, well-being, leisure, and so on. An understanding of the range of new technologies and advancements in knowledge is essential: It expands society’s critical capacity, in small day-to-day decisions as well as in various professional areas, not forgetting the ethical debate and how it relates to the major challenges of the future. The way in which new knowledge is disseminated, and those responsible for doing so, are key factors in the formation of public opinion and attitudes regarding science.
Scientists, doctors, journalists, professionals working in science centres and museums, and institutional communications agents in research centres, universities, pharmaceutical laboratories, NGOs, public administration, cultural management, etc. are all involved in the process of communicating science to the general public and are increasingly visible in this role, resulting in a growing number of professional opportunities.
The Master’s in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication (MCC) outlines the key aspects of this transmission of knowledge, how it is generated and managed. The programme ends with an in-house work placement in media, museums, businesses or institutions involved in the sector, as well as a supervised research project. The work placement and research project will be decided based on the interests of the student, under the supervision of the programme’s directors.
