Science in the Pub is a series of lectures in restaurants to bring science closer to everyday people about popular topics (for e.g. cultural heritage,religion)
The Science in the Pub community program was started by Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) in 2016 with the aim to bring science themes closer to every-day-people in an easy way. The comprehensibility is guaranteed not only by the form-breaking presentations, but the venue also contributes to the informal atmosphere, as the events are held in the popular restaurants of Kőszeg. The idea originally came from a GP in Veszprém where the university faculty organized discussions about science for their students outside the university buildings, in pubs and restaurants.
This community program in Kőszeg connects the research fellows of the institute and the local stakeholders who are open to cooperate. One lecture a month is usually organized and due to the growing interest, since 2018 not only iASK researchers, but also famous scientists and public representatives have been invited to the town. The lectures are covers a wide range of topics: stakeholders could hear about the social psychology of pseudo-news, residental trends, the Lutheran Reformation, cultural heritage management in Kőszeg and nearby, sustainable development goals, climate change. The lecture is free of charge also for local inhabitants as for tourists. During and after the lecture they are welcome to consume in the restaurant, that hosts the venue, thereby supporting local economy. It is possible to follow the lectures online, and the previous video recordings are available on the institute's website.
Resources needed
The lecturers undertake the lectures for free, their travel and accommodation costs are paid by iASK. The restaurants provide the venue for free
Evidence of success
The continuity of the lectures series is a success. The lectures concern those topics which are connected to the town’s cultural heritage, values, consequently it builds bridges among the inhabitants as well as with the KRAFT Program. We have a loyal group of visitors with 40 people from different age groups. In 2018 February a lecture by Asztrik Várszegi (Abbot Emeritus of Pannonhalma) attracted 200 people to the Jurisich Castle, where contemporary issues about the religion have been discussed.
Difficulties encountered
The key of the events’ success is the possibility providing platform for discussion. Frequently there are few people who tend to dominate the discussion and it is the task of the moderator to handle these situations. An issue During COVID-19 times to encourage participants to ask via online.
Potential for learning or transfer
For an inclusive,integrative society it's essential to build bridges among scientists and inhabitants. The GP has 2main characteristics which would be applied in regions which wants to enhance inclusivity,raising awareness and providing information about those topics which are part of the inhabitants’ day-to-day rumours,conversations concerning material and immaterial heritage elements. The first is the application of quadruple helix model on local/regional level supporting the integrity among the local government,academia,businesses and people’s network. Here the local restaurants provide the scene for the discussions,the local government both takes part in the communication of the events and the major visits the occasions regularly and iASK provides the scientific content. The other characteristic is the participative nature. From population retention perspective it's quite important to have those “roundtables” where inhabitants from all age groups groups could discuss recent topics.
Tags: Heritage, Networks, Science
