As we enter the final year (GP4) of COST Action VOICES, the Communication Team gathered at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid on September 23rd and 24th, 2024, to strategize the last stretch of our collaborative journey. With representatives from various working groups (WGs) and led by Marian Blanco-Ruiz (Science Communications Officer) and Edna Falorca Costa (Science Communications Co-Officer), the meeting focused on fine-tuning our communication efforts and setting clear goals for an impactful finish.

The session kicked off with a review of the communication strategy so far. Highlights included consistent visual branding across all channels, a strong social media presence on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and the success of our dedicated blog, which now boasts over 50 posts. While engagement has been positive, the team agreed that we need to ramp up outreach, especially targeting young researchers in both academia and industry.

Key Decisions and Upcoming Initiatives

  1. Targeting PhD Students and Industry Researchers
    Recognizing the need to broaden our reach, the team decided to develop specialized content for PhD students and young researchers in the private sector. This will include tailored social media campaigns and webinars to engage this audience effectively.
  2. Final Conference Video Production
    To capture the essence of our project’s achievements, a professional video summarizing the VOICES project’s outcomes will be produced for the final conference in Paris. The Paris team will source a videographer and define the key content to highlight.
  3. YouTube Webinar Series
    Past webinars will be edited and uploaded to our YouTube channel. This initiative aims to increase the accessibility and visibility of our project’s educational content. Edits will focus on clarity and professional presentation, including title cards, speaker introductions, and enhanced PowerPoint integration.
  4. New Podcast Series
    The team is excited to launch a podcast series, with one episode dedicated to each WG. This initiative will offer an engaging platform for each group to showcase their contributions and share insights on their work within the project.
  5. Whitepaper for Final Conference
    A comprehensive Whitepaper summarizing the project’s findings and recommendations will be professionally designed and printed in time for distribution at the final conference. This document will serve as a key resource for stakeholders and participants.

To ensure smooth and effective dissemination of information throughout GP4, the importance of active and ongoing communication between WGs and their respective managers was highlighted. A communication protocol has been established, with regular check-ins to monitor progress and align efforts. As we embark on this final year, we invite all members to actively participate in these initiatives and make the most of this opportunity to showcase our collaborative achievements. Stay tuned for more updates and get involved in making GP4 a resounding success!