EVOLVE Course: Communications and Management Skills for Imaging Core Facilities

20–22 October 2026 | Turin, Italy | Hybrid course

The Communications and Management Skills for Imaging Core Facilities course brought together 50 participants — 30 attending onsite and 20 joining online — for three days of training, knowledge exchange and practical workshops. Hosted at the MBC2 Building, Università di Torino, in Turin, Italy, the course was made possible thanks to the EVOLVE project and featured expert trainers from Euro-BioImaging Nodes and the private sector, specialising in management, communication and business development.

The programme addressed the diverse communication and management challenges faced by imaging core facilities, equipping participants with practical strategies to strengthen collaboration with colleagues, managers and users, while improving engagement with institutional stakeholders, industry partners and external organisations.

Across three days, participants explored proactive communication, active listening, conflict resolution, time and priority management, project management and personal effectiveness. Sessions also addressed facility–user relationships, user training, workload management, and the regulatory and welfare requirements associated with preclinical imaging research.

A key focus was demonstrating and communicating the value of imaging core facilities. Participants learned how to use key performance indicators (KPIs) and socio-economic indicators (SEIs) to assess facility performance and impact, alongside strategies for building successful research consortia and managing partnerships across different sectors. The programme also covered communication with industry partners, marketing principles, stakeholder engagement and practical approaches to improving facility visibility and attracting new users.

The course aimed to strengthen both the interpersonal and strategic skills of imaging core facility professionals. By combining expert-led sessions, practical workshops and peer exchange, it supported participants in translating communication and management principles into their daily work, improving facility operations and fostering stronger relationships across the research, institutional and innovation communities.

Ultimately,  the course reinforced the role of communication and management skills needed to manage imaging facilities effectively, communicate their value and build productive relationships across the research and innovation ecosystem.