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| Science et Cité | |
|---|---|
| Name | Science et Cité |
| Formation | 2000 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | Geneva |
| Location | Switzerland |
| Fields | Science communication |
| Leader title | Director |
Science et Cité
Science et Cité is a Swiss non-profit organization based in Geneva dedicated to promoting public engagement with science and technology through festivals, exhibitions, and outreach programs. It operates within a network of research institutions, cultural venues, and municipal bodies to connect researchers, educators, and the general public. The organization collaborates with universities, museums, and international science festivals to develop participatory events and evaluation frameworks.
Founded in 2000 in Geneva, the organization emerged amid initiatives associated with the World Summit on the Information Society, United Nations agencies, and regional cultural policies such as those of the Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva. Early collaborators included the University of Geneva, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, and the Museum of Natural History, Geneva. Major milestones feature partnerships with the European Union research programs, connections to the International Science Council, and joint projects with the Swiss National Science Foundation. The group has participated in events alongside institutions such as the Palais de la Découverte, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (France), and the Science Museum, London. Over time Science et Cité expanded ties to cultural festivals like the Festival d'Avignon and scientific assemblies including the European Researchers' Night and the World Science Festival. It has worked with international organizations such as UNESCO, World Health Organization, and International Telecommunication Union on science communication priorities.
The mission emphasizes public dialogue about research produced at institutions including the University of Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Friedrich Miescher Institute, and the CERN. Objectives include fostering engagement at venues such as the Natural History Museum of Geneva, catalyzing collaborations with organizations like the Fondation Louis-Jeantet and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, and supporting outreach compatible with grants from the European Research Council and the Horizon 2020 program. The organization aims to bridge actors from labs at the Max Planck Society, policy fora like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and cultural platforms such as the Fondation Beyeler.
Programs range from city-wide science festivals that involve partners like the Palexpo and Carouge cultural centers to school outreach aligned with curricula at the University of Fribourg and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Activities include exhibitions co-created with the Natural History Museum, Vienna, hands-on workshops modeled after initiatives at the Exploratorium, and public debates reminiscent of events at the Royal Institution and the Institut Pasteur. Collaborative formats have been developed with media organizations such as the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, the Le Temps newspaper, and the BBC. International residencies and traveling exhibits have linked to the Smithsonian Institution, the Louvre, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Training programs for scientists follow frameworks used by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and the AAAS.
The governance structure includes a board with representatives from institutions such as the University of Geneva, EPFL, CERN, Swiss National Bank cultural committees, and municipal councils of Geneva. Operational teams coordinate logistics with venue partners like the Palais des Nations and project officers liaise with funding bodies including the Swiss Confederation and the Fondation de France. Advisory boards have included members associated with the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences (United States), and the Deutsches Museum. Strategic plans reference standards set by the European Science Communication Network and evaluation practices from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Partnerships span universities such as University of Basel, University of Bern, and University of Zurich; research institutes like the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute; and cultural partners including the Museum of Art and History, Geneva and Centre Pompidou. Funding sources include grants and contracts with the Swiss National Science Foundation, project funding from the European Commission, patronage by foundations such as the Fonds cantonal d'art contemporain, corporate sponsorships from firms like Novartis and Roche, and philanthropy connected to the Givaudan Foundation and Fondation Botnar. Collaborative research funding has been obtained through calls by the Horizon Europe program and bilateral agreements with the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
Evaluations reference methodologies developed by organizations like the European Commission, the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA), and the RAND Corporation. Impact assessments cite audience metrics comparable to those used by the Science Festival Alliance and case studies paralleling work by the Pew Research Center and the Royal Institution. Outcomes reported include increased public attendance at events analogous to figures from the World Science Festival and improved researcher communication skills similar to findings from the Alan Alda Center. Collaborative publications have appeared in venues associated with the Public Understanding of Science community and conference presentations at the European Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network.
Reception has included positive coverage in outlets such as Le Monde, The Guardian, and NZZ, and critical perspectives from commentators linked to think tanks like the Brookings Institution and the Chatham House. Critiques echo debates comparable to those surrounding science communication initiatives at institutions like CERN and the Max Planck Society, including questions about inclusivity raised in forums such as the European Citizen Science Association and policy critiques in reports by the OECD. Discussions also reference ethical debates familiar from controversies involving the Institut Pasteur and public trust issues documented by the Wellcome Trust.
Category:Science communication Category:Non-profit organizations based in Switzerland