Universities and research organisations are vibrant communities fully engaged in science communication. Their actions are all the more important because the relationship between science, technology and society at large is at the heart of current debate, particularly at a time when the rapid expansion of digital technology opens up uncountable modes of interaction between producers and users of information. This conference intends to take a closer look at the new forms of dialogue between those who are directly involved in the production of knowledge and those for whom ethical, political and economic questions linked to research and its outcomes are considered just as important as the progress of knowledge. The conference is aimed at science communicators, researchers and post-graduate students.

Five strands of investigation to explore new horizons:

• The specificity of science communication in universities and research centres
• Public policy with regard to science communication
• Collaborative work and partnership
• Target audiences for science communication
• New tools, new practices

There is a call for papers with a deadline of 10 February 2012.