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The Netherlands will have its own national science communication centre. These words from Minister Dijkgraaf in May 2022 sparked a momentum that has not stalled ever since. Erik van Zwol, who has been closely involved in the process since the beginning, shares his story. 

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science's Research and Science Policy Directorate found itself in urgent need of reinforcements after the Minister's announcement. The Ministry hired me as part of their dual career programme, aimed at attracting professionals from the field to spend a year working at the Ministry. The initiative aims to strengthen ties between the Ministry and the professional field through the sharing of experience and knowledge. I will be spending my one-year secondment helping to advance science communication on behalf of the professional field.

The national government in The Hague always seemed to be something of an abstract concept at the knowledge institutions I worked at. People would mention it in sentences like "They want us to focus on 'x' more...". So it was a huge eye-opener to see how they divide up responsibilities for the various issues and just how hard everyone there is really working. Science communication might be a relatively minor priority there, but the Ministry is the perfect place to raise awareness among colleagues working on some of the “major” topics like Open Science and Recognition and Rewards. Science communication needs that kind of broad framework to genuinely flourish. 

Dialogue with the professional field 

The dialogue between science and society is taking shape across many arenas. From passionate biologists to inventors who design their research in consultation with citizens. From research universities and universities of applied sciences to companies and science museums. That long list called for some solid representation in the start-up phase. We appointed two trailblazers for that purpose: Alex Verkade and Ionica Smeets. They both have a strong track record in science communication, an extensive network and – crucially – broad support among “the target audience”. The sheer scope of that target group became even clearer as the process unfolded.

The trailblazers held lots of conversations with professionals from the field, and it was not long before they had spoken to 150 people. As we discovered early on in the process, there were strong shared interests and a list of shared concerns. We managed to address those by outlining some of the things the centre will not be doing, like actually conducting or funding science communication. "There's plenty of momentum in the field already, so there's no need to add more," Alex Verkade explains.

"First and foremost, the centre should play a connecting role," according to Ionica Smeets. Lots of organisations are already doing great work. "The centre needs to be aware of all the players in the field, the ongoing efforts and the latest developments." Its name should also reflect that connective role. As it turns out, the term science communication does not really convey that to most people. The working title (at the time of writing) is currently National Expertise Centre for Science and Society.

The centre envisioned by the trailblazers will also advocate science communication's value to broader society and the knowledge system. "The centre will take part in consultations and keep its finger on the pulse of developments in the field in order to highlight the importance of science communication," as Verkade explains. Smeets adds, "We know international centres spend about a third of their time on that."

Plenty of momentum 

On 27 January 2023, I organised an open working session so that everyone who had not met the trailblazers yet would have an opportunity to do so. One hundred people showed up. I used an open-space approach in order to help participants take ownership of the conversations. Among other issues, the conversations focused on the impact we aim to achieve and the centre's staffing and working methods. The approach worked well and really highlighted just how much momentum there is to achieve great things at the centre. I believe the centre can really take off if the field supports us and feels a sense of ownership.

The trailblazers expect to present a recommendation to the Minister in April 2023. It has been an honour to support that process, and I look forward to reading their findings. If I could give the trailblazers some advice, I would tell them to use the existing momentum in the field to their advantage and make the national government work for them.

Erik van Zwol is is Science Communication Coordinator at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��'s Life Sciences strategic theme. As a public engagement fellow, he is focused on scientific communication as part of his academic career. Van Zwol has been seconded to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science since July 2022, where he will be charged with science communication for a period of one year.

is professor of Science Communication at Leiden ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��.

Alex Verkade is Head of Positioning at Taskforce for Applied Research SIA (Dutch Research Council). The two are both working to spearhead the new national science communication centre. 

Text: Erik van Zwol