Background:
Ensuring people have the right information at the right time in the right format lowers barriers for individuals to take steps to protect themselves, their families and communities against COVID-19. Changing recommendations and pandemic response measures expose the public to high levels of uncertainty and are hence complicated to convey. Increasing pandemic fatigue and an overabundance of (scientific) information highlight the need for effective, innovative and reliable science communication. In addition to the traditional science communicators working in research, policy and the media, the all-disruptive nature of the pandemic demands also other stakeholders like teachers, health professionals or social media influencers to translate science into practice in their daily activities. Many good practice examples of science communication have already emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. These innovative solutions represent a valuable resource for the current and future health emergencies.
Aim:
As part of the WHO global conference on communicating science during health emergencies (taking place from 7 to 25 June 2021), the World Health Organization Information Network for Epidemics (WHO EPI-WIN) calls for the submission of innovative examples on how to communicate science to different audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, WHO seeks submissions on the following three tracks:
- Science communication by researchers: Innovative projects on COVID-19 led by researchers to translate science into policy action and/or make science more accessible to the public.
- Science and the media: Innovative ways of journalists, broadcasters or publishers to explain the science behind COVID-19 and related pandemic response measures to their audience.
- From science to action: Innovative projects by youth initiatives, teachers, health workforce or other civil society representatives to help make the science and measures related to COVID-19 better understandable and relevant to the public.
Selected submissions will be featured in a good practice compilation of science communication examples to be published on the WHO website.
Selection:
All submissions will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Innovation factor of idea
- Accuracy of scientific information communicated
- Influence on the target audience assessed as positively impacting the audience’s knowledge, attitude and/or behavior
- Degree to which the project promotes gender equality, equity and/or human rights
Deadline:
Submissions need to be sent to epi-win@who.int by 31 May 2021, 18:00 CEST. Kindly use the subject line “Science com compilation” when submitting your example. Only submissions using the attached template will be considered.
Disclaimers:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has invited individuals, institutions, governments, non-governmental organizations or other entities to submit case studies of good practices and innovative solutions in the area of communicating public health science during the COVID-19 pandemic through a public call for submission. WHO will select a few cases based on a pre-defined rating system and make such publications publicly available on the WHO EPI-WIN website (the “Website”).
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