Euro-BioImaging attends the PAERI Conference

Euro-BioImaging was delighted to attend the Public Awareness & Engagement of Research Infrastructures (PAERI) conference, represented by External Communications Officer, Marianna Childress-Poli. This year’s event was hosted by European XFEL and DESY in Hamburg, Germany, attracting 170 science communications officers from different research infrastructures and organisations across Europe and the globe - 140 attended the event in person, while 30 participated online. This year’s theme was “Navigating Science Communication in a Shifting Landscape,” and topics like Artificial Intelligence, social media, shifting attitudes towards science, measuring impact and working with the general public were all on the agenda.  

The conference is organised every two years by the PAERI Working Group of the ERF-AISBL, the Association of European-Level Research Infrastructures Facilities. The working group’s mission is to gather advice and best practices for ERF-AISBL members on public relations, communication, and public awareness for activities and future development, and indeed, the PAERI Conference is a wonderful opportunity to showcase best practices and get ideas for future development. 

Two and a half days of inspiration for science communicators

Over two and a half days, lightning presentations highlighted a diverse range of science communications initiatives, panel discussions addressed important topics such as research infrastructure upgrades, quality in science communication (with an interesting analysis of power dynamics between communications departments and science departments), and splinter sessions explored how to measure impact, AI tools to support communications, and many other relevant topics.

A series of site visits allowed participants to see the tunnels and much more at European XFEL, and at DESY, we got a feel for the amazing range of services and experiments being carried out in the facilities. Participants could visit the XFEL Lighthouse Visitors Center and we even got a sneak peek at the new visitor’s center at the DESY Synchrotron, scheduled to open in Summer 2026.

Sharing our Scientific Ambassador programme

Marianna Childress-Poli presented the impact of the Euro-BioImaging/EVOLVE Scientific Ambassador Programme on behalf of the Scientific Ambassador Task Force during a splinter session entitled “From Metrics to Meaning: Measuring Impact.” This programme, started in 2023 with EVOLVE funding, is designed to boost the visibility of Euro-BioImaging, the research infrastructure community, and imaging approaches in general within research communities.  Since the programme started, 23 highly motivated individuals from diverse research backgrounds, countries and career stages (early career researchers, PIs, PhD students, data scientists and independents) have participated in the programme, reaching out to nearly 2,000 researchers through their presentations at conferences, training courses, or other outreach activities.

View abstract & slides

Representatives from ESFRI, and the ERIC Forum 2 project were present, as well as several life science ERIC representatives, including BBMRI ERIC and AnaEE ERIC. Our partners ELIXIR, EGI, and IBISBA were also there. Internationally, Global BioImaging attended and our partner Microscopy Australia was represented, via a presentation by Research Infrastructures Connected. Beyond our close ecosystem, it was wonderful to meet the science communications officers from synchrotrons, particle accelerators, telescopes, universities, and other research infrastructures and research organisations, and learn how they engage with their diverse stakeholders.

Many thanks to the organisers of this amazing event which provided ideas, guidance, and inspirational contacts for the coming years! Looking forward to PAERI 2028 hosted by ESS in Lund, Sweden.