UAlg at the centre of the European debate on communication and impact within SEA-EU

The meeting gathered experts from across the Alliance, who shared best practices, projects and strategies in institutional and science communication, reinforcing the collaborative and European dimension of this work.

The meetings brought together two complementary working groups: Task 6.2, dedicated to effective dissemination within the Alliance, and Task 6.3, focused on science communication. Together, these teams contribute to improving how SEA-EU communicates and enhances its impact across the academic community and society.

The programme began on 14 April with a session open to the academic community, which brought together around 50 participants at the Teresa Júdice Gamito Lecture Hall, on the Gambelas Campus. The opening session featured welcome remarks by Professor Manuel Célio Conceição, from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences and leader of the SEA-EU task dedicated to science communication, and by the Pro-Rector for Sustainability Sciences, Vânia Sousa, followed by an intervention from the SEA-EU Head of Communications, Irene de Andrés, from the University of Cádiz. Dedicated to science communication, the session also included the lecture “Science Is for Everyone — But Only If We Make It So!”, delivered by Professor Cristina Veiga-Pires, as well as presentations of projects developed by partner universities.

Over the two days, discussions focused on reviewing the progress made in SEA-EU communication and defining priorities for the future. Within Task 6.2, participants assessed key milestones of the Alliance’s communication strategy over recent years and outlined objectives and actions for the coming months, including improvements to be implemented in the context of the project’s extension.

Within Task 6.3, participants presented science communication projects developed across the different institutions, analysed the impact of ongoing initiatives and carried out a SWOT analysis of the task. The discussions helped identify common challenges and highlighted the need to develop more joint activities, promoting a more integrated and sustainable approach within the network of experts.

During the morning of 15 April, both groups were visited by the Rector of the University of Algarve, Alexandra Teodósio, in a moment of institutional engagement and recognition of the work carried out within the Alliance.

In addition to the working sessions, the programme included networking and social moments, such as a dinner in Faro’s historic centre and a visit to Culatra Island, further strengthening connections among participants.

By hosting these meetings, the University of Algarve reinforces its active role within the SEA-EU Alliance, contributing to the development of more effective, aligned communication strategies with greater impact across its diverse audiences.