Public outreach

A science popularization committee was created in 2022 with the aim of developing and structuring CRCL’s communication and public outreach activities. Its purpose is also to inform CRCL’s members about the different means of communication available, in order to encourage their commitment to this field. To meet these objectives, various projects and recurring initiatives have been implemented since 2022:
– The creation and provision of a catalog referencing existing outreach schemes (conferences, podcasts, posts on social networks, etc.) in which CRCL members meet the general public. Some examples are the Pop’Science Festival, Déclics, Ma thèse en 180 secondes, the Pariscience symbiosis competition, and the Scientific Game Jam. For instance, several PhD students took part in “Ma thèse en 180s” and “Ma thèse pour les nuls” contests in 2018, 2019 and 2024.
– Organizing the Fête de la science. The 20 members of the committee meet in March of each year to prepare this event held in October and to discuss the activities to be proposed. In recent years, the CRCL has offered laboratory visits, workshops, quizzes, speed meetings (small group meetings with research staff) and conferences.
– The committee also meets periodically to develop new projects to further enhance scientific communication and dissemination. For example, a photo exhibition illustrates everyday life in CRCL laboratories and their scientific output through microscopy illustrations. This exhibition is displayed on the CRCL facades in order to reach out to the Lyon population, and is intended to be shared to illustrate work in a research center (media libraries, companies, etc.).
– The creation of an Instagram account that regularly features visual content, such as informative images and videos, to raise public awareness of cancer research. Over time, this account will help to increase the center’s visibility, strengthen the dissemination of knowledge and promote research and advances in the field of cancer.