The education, communications and outreach group works to increase awareness of and foster support for CERN and its activities, and to promote the interaction of citizens with fundamental research.
Mandate
To generate public engagement in science, to produce and distribute informational content, to foster community building and to build support for CERN and its mission.
The key audiences include governments and policy-makers, the high energy physics community, the CERN community, local communities, teachers and students, the general public.
The group covers several areas, namely strategic communications (including visual identity), press and media relations, digital communications (including social media), exhibitions, outreach events, teacher and student programmes and visits to the Laboratory (including virtual visits).
Activities
Communications at CERN pass through several channels, encompassing a wide range of activities. These include:
- CERN core websites
- social media
- press releases and media visits for journalists from around the world
- the Bulletin, aimed at the CERN community
- the CERN Courier, aimed at the international high energy physics community
- programmes and activities for teachers and students
- guided tours and visits
- exhibitions, including a travelling offer
- engagemnent with the local communities
- Arts AT CERN programme (including Open Days, TEDxCERN, Sparks!)
- publications, including the Annual report, as mandated by the CERN Convention, and selected brochures aimed at key audiences
All channels and activities rely on written and audio-visual content (photos, video clips and animations) produced in-house and underpinned by a graphic charter.
CERN Science Gateway, the laboratory’s new flagship education and outreach center, scheduled to open in 2023, will house immersive hands-on exhibitions, education laboratories and host events for publics of all ages, from around the world.