Science communication for the future viability of European societies: several activities of the European University Alliances underscore how important it is to communicate their work to the public.

How can houses generate energy for their own use with the help of piezoelectric materials? What potential does biochar have as a CO2 storage medium? And how can students actively engage in the European University Alliance on Responsible Consumption and Production (EURECA-PRO)? The Alliance's podcast series ”Committed to Planet A”  aims to spark curiosity about innovative research approaches to sustainability and encourage people to get involved. “Our aim is to communicate sustainability issues and their scientific treatment in an understandable and accessible way – and thus encourage people to change their behaviour in their everyday lives and at work,” says Dr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Head of Internationalisation at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences.

The European university alliance EURECA-PRO, of which the Saxon university is a member, aims to become a leader in interdisciplinary research on sustainable production and responsible consumption. Researchers from the nine partner universities in eight countries also present their work in a joint video series. At several EURECA-PRO Science Slams, the citizens of Mittweida were able to talk directly with researchers while enjoying live music, snacks and drinks. “There is always a lot of laughter during the Science Slams; they show that science can also be fun,” says Hagenmeier. It is important that the alliance always places sustainability issues in a broader context in its science communication, focusing on their value for Europe. This was also the case at an “Erasmus Pub Quiz” in October 2025, which attracted many Mittweida residents to the university canteen to answer questions about sustainability and Europe.

Communication for the “third mission”

Science communication is particularly important for the European University Alliances. This is because the networks funded by Erasmus+ as part of the EU's European Universities initiative are not only testing new models of cooperation in teaching and research. A key objective is also to take the “Third Mission”, that is innovation-promoting cooperation with business and society, to a new level. “People need to understand scientific issues and be able to trust science, then they will be willing to support innovation,” says Birgit Siebe-Herbig, Head of the Research and Internationalisation, University Networks Division at the DAAD. “Science communication is therefore an investment in the future viability of societies. It is of central importance to make relevant research results visible, to involve local authorities and NGOs, and to enable citizens to participate.” 

The approaches and formats are as diverse as the networks themselves. The European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) alliance, of which Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a member, has, for example, launched an international research project at schools in Germany, France, and Romania. The Una Europa alliance, in which Freie Universität Berlin is involved, awards a prize to doctoral students who concisely present the significance of their research for society, the economy, or the environment. The winner receives an appearance on the Inspiration Stage at Berlin Science Week.

“Data storytelling” for Europe-wide networking

Another innovative approach to science communication is “data storytelling”, the public presentation of data sets, analyses and stories. With its Data Story Centre, Bielefeld University (UB) gives teachers and students the opportunity to publish their own data stories. “People today are exposed to a flood of disinformation, especially on social media,” says Dr Katharina Weiß, managing director of the Bielefeld Centre for Data Science at the UB and manager of the university's Scientific Data Services. “Fake news contributes to further inflaming social debates, thereby endangering democracy. This makes it all the more important to show that scientific data provides a sound basis for decision-making – both in the personal and political spheres.” The climate crisis and the coronavirus pandemic have highlighted the importance of data-driven action. In addition to data stories, the Data Story Centre also offers specialist literature and best practice examples. “One focus is on enabling students to create their own data stories,” says Weiß. In interdisciplinary and subject-specific seminars in the 2025 summer semester, data stories were created on topics such as fatigue among students and bicycle accidents in Bielefeld. 

The University Library is part of the Transforming Regions for an Inclusive Europe alliance (NEOLAiA), in which nine universities in EU regions beyond the major metropolitan areas cooperate. Together, they want to create an open and inclusive educational and social environment that promotes justice at universities and in European society as a whole. To enable partner universities, some of which also use data storytelling, to access the Data Story Centre, its content has recently been made available in English. Europe-wide collaborations are also planned: according to Weiß, inter-university seminars and the creation of joint data stories would be conceivable.

Support from the DAAD's accompanying national programme

The DAAD offers an accompanying national programme for the 67 German universities participating in European University Alliances. Thanks to the additional funding, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences can offer English courses and intercultural training, thereby improving communication with alliance partners, says Cornelius Hagenmeier: "Without the funding, we would not be able to participate so actively in EURECA-PRO." The DAAD also supports German universities directly in science communication: every year, it organises a themed week around Europe Day on 9 May, which gives the public an insight into the work of the alliances.

As part of the accompanying national programme, the DAAD also organises an annual meeting and regular online forums where German alliance universities can exchange experiences. These meetings were very enriching and open new perspectives on one's own work, says Cornelius Hagenmeier: “I have already received very helpful tips there and have also given keynote speeches myself. I am already looking forward to the next meeting in December!”

Miriam Hoffmeyer (13 November 2025)