The communication of science within the framework of European Union-funded research projects: Exploring...

This article aims to advance our understanding of the communication of science conducted within the framework of externally funded research projects, also known as project-based science communication. It deploys semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences and perceptions of 26 communication specialists, project managers and other professionals who have been involved in the Communication & Dissemination Work Packages of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects. Interviewees regard the communication of European Union-funded projects as beneficial, both personally and for society as a whole-in the latter case, primarily in instrumental terms. They identify several challenges to their communication functions, ranging from working conditions to structural factors such as project size or project duration, to the relationship with researchers and other partners. Many interviewees also hold a critical opinion of the current communication practices within European Union-funded projects and acknowledge the potentially detrimental effects of the multiplication of projects with attached communication responsibilities. The ultimate purpose of this article is to elicit interest in project-based science communication within the science communication scholarly community.