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Science showcased -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CNRS International Magazine, with a circulation of matter), was held in November 2011 at the Trocadero gardens in 18,000, is an English-language publication that Paris. The event was supported by public and private partners, and it promotes CNRS research outside of France. The attracted more than 23,000 visitors over the course of 12 days. Ano- electronic interactive versions of the journal and ther regular event, the CNRS ‘Science and Citizens’ forum, targeting magazine, launched in 2010, include text, images, a young audience, gathers 450 youngsters between the ages of 18 and videos produced by CNRS Images. The CNRS and 25 from France and the rest of Europe to freely exchange with website is another important medium of commu- about one hundred scientists. The ‘Let’s talk it over! ’debates, held nication. Its home page was overhauled in 2011. three to four times a year at the Quai Branly Museum and broadcast ‘We re-designed the graphics, site ergonomics, live over the Web, encourage dialog on controversial topics. and editorial policy,’ says Fabrice Impériali, head of Publishing and Production. ‘Our home page 2011 was also the International Year of Chemistry, a theme chosen is constantly updated to reflect the evolution of by UNESCO. ‘CNRS was a driving force in organizing the International scientific activity. To further enhance the wealth of Year in France,’ says Jean-Louis Buscaylet, in charge of Youth Events our research, we are preparing a new multimedia at CNRS. ‘We contributed to combined actions by various academic website. Aimed at the general public, it will des- and industrial actors in the field of chemistry. We also arranged our cribe CNRS’s scientific news in layman’s terms. own events around this theme, such as the exhibition at Trocadero, It is the digital equivalent of our print magazine.’ the CNRS ‘Science and Citizens’ forum, and the ‘Chemistry 2.0’ traveling exhibition. Our goal was to showcase the discoveries and know-how of chemists in our laboratories.’ CNRS and society: a trusting relationship CNRS awards numerous prizes, including gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as ‘Cristals’ and the Medal of Innovation, created in ‘A recent study has revealed that the French do 2011. In addition to honoring a community of researchers, engineers not trust politicians when it comes to commu- and technicians who relay CNRS excellence, these rewards build up nicating on the issues and results of scientific a sense of belonging. research,’ says Marie-Hélène Beauvais, Deputy Director of Communications. ‘Yet 86% of the Talented individuals raise CNRS’s profile both in France and abroad, population trusts CNRS thereon. We have an at a time when the organization plays an active role in the emergence important role to play in the relationship between of large university research sites. scientists and the general public.’ CNRS commu- nications teams are aware of their fellow citizens’ confidence in the organization. They work closely with laboratories nationwide, notably on research This superconducting Eiffel Tower was presented to the public opposite the actual Eiffel Tower and higher education centers. during a CNRS exhibition at the Trocadero gardens. Each floor of the model tower could levitate. As part of the organization’s policy of promoting exchanges with society, the CNRS Communica- tions Department organizes frequent events invol- ving the general public. The sixth edition of the Scientific Exhibition, Entrée en matière (exploring 100 years of superconductivity ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conferences, festivals, exhibitions, artistic events... Laboratories, institutions, museums, and scientific societies joined forces to organize more than 80 events in 27 different French towns to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of superconductivity. Almost 90,000 visitors attended, including 10,000 children and 7,000 high school students. No fewer than 110 CNRS researchers from 18 different laboratories participated in the events, with a dual objective: to promote fundamental and applied research in physics, and to initiate a dialog with the general public. The CNRS Institute of Physics developed new communication tools for the occasion (including websites, an educational brochure, a traveling exhibition, a special report in CNRS le journal, a film co-produced by CNRS Images, as well as photos and videos of physical phenomena), which were widely used by CNRS researchers in the field. All these educational resources will help scientists, ombudsmen, and the general public beyond 2011. It is also worth noting that the Jean Perrin prize from the French Physics Society was awarded to Julien Bobroff, notably for the Supra 2011 project. 67 2011 A year at CNRS


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