Office of Science Communication

The Science Communication Office is an institutional unit established within universities to convey scientific knowledge to the public, media organizations, policymakers, and various societal stakeholders in an accurate and accessible manner. In Türkiye, it has been developed under the coordination of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) as a standardized structure aimed at connecting scientific production with societal impact.

Science communication is a multidisciplinary field that goes beyond merely sharing scientific outputs; it aims to foster a culture of science in society, promote scientific thinking, and democratize scientific knowledge. Within this framework, Science Communication Offices carry out a wide range of activities including science journalism, public science events, digital science content creation, sharing open science processes with the public, enhancing researchers’ communication skills, and implementing science literacy projects.

At the core of the institutional philosophy of these offices in Türkiye are the #BilimVatan and #HerkesBilsin approaches. #BilimVatan views science not merely as an academic endeavor but as a strategic element in the nation’s development, positioning it as one of the pillars of national progress. Guided by this vision, scientific knowledge produced in universities is delivered to a broad spectrum of societal stakeholders—from farmers and students to children and entrepreneurs, and from local administrators to media organizations—thereby integrating science into society. The #HerkesBilsin approach advocates for the transparent, accessible, and inclusive dissemination of knowledge, ensuring that scientific advancements are understood by all segments of society, not just experts, using clear and comprehensible language.

One of the key activities of Science Communication Offices is the Bilim Kafe (Science Café) initiative. Bilim Kafe is an innovative public science communication platform that brings science into everyday life through direct interaction between academics and the public, based on a question-and-answer format. These events are held in cafés, museums, historical sites, and other social spaces, extending the spatial boundaries of science beyond university campuses. Bilim Kafe programs create a dynamic environment where the public’s questions on topics such as health, climate change, artificial intelligence, the science of gastronomy, cultural heritage, agricultural production, and other key issues on the scientific agenda are answered with scientific evidence. Thus, public interest in scientific topics is increased and the university’s connection with society is strengthened.

^{Bilim Kafe Event Logos (}Council of Higher Education⁾

In addition, these offices develop press releases, scientific news content, media partnerships, and digital communication strategies to enhance the visibility of university scientific achievements, ensure accurate representation of researchers in the public sphere, and strengthen the institution’s strategic communication capacity. Promoting open science practices, effectively sharing research findings with policymakers and public institutions, and raising public awareness about the reliability of scientific data are also core functions of Science Communication Offices.

As in international literature, in Türkiye science communication is recognized as a strategic field for the democratization of science, increased public participation, and making science a more visible actor in social life. Science Communication Offices serve as the most important implementing units of this transformation at the university level.