For a researcher, engaging in science communication is quite a balancing act: as a scientist you want to be complete and extremely nuanced while reaching out to a broader audience requires short(er) and direct communication. SciMingo helps researchers to find the right balance - to appeal to the public without renouncing yourself or your research. Like flamingos, masters of balance. 

SciMingo projects

  • Bachelor
  • Master

Every year tens of thousands of students graduate from our Flemish higher education institutions. At the end of their studies, they often write a thesis: the proverbial icing on the cake and a calling card for their professional career. Through the Flemish Thesis Prize, we give these works the attention they deserve.

The Flemish Thesis Bank is a freely accessible online database. It contains all -mainly Dutch- articles and full-text theses of participating bachelors and masters in the Flemish Thesis Prize. With over 6,000 qualitative theses, it offers a rich source of information.

  • PhD
  • Postdoc

Scientists thrive in their trusted environment, whether it's their lab, their office space or the stage at a scientific conference. Science Figured Out takes young researchers out of their comfort zones and places them in front of a camera with a clear assignment: share your passion for research with the general public! Tell us about your research in a clear and convincing 3-minute pitch.

  • PhD
  • Postdoc

Every year, some 2,000 doctorates are completed in Flanders. These studies find their way into scientific publications, but only a fraction makes it to the general public's attention. With the PhD Cup, SciMingo wants to change this! Since 2016 this competition encourages newly promoted doctors to share their research with a wider audience.

  • Bachelor
  • Master
  • PhD
  • Postdoc

SciMingo organises a science communication academy for enthusiastic researchers who want to learn how to share their research as a comprehensible and compelling story. We focus on writing, infographics, video, and podcast.

Alexander John Cruz
KU Leuven - Imec -FWO

“The short video production with Science Figured Out is one of the most enriching experiences I've had as a PhD researcher. The team provided us a voice to craft a story about our research and made them accessible to the general public."

Dr. Angelique Van Ombergen
ESA - Winner PhD Cup 2018

"The response I got for my victory at the PhD Cup was really tremendous. I can only recommend the competition. The PhD Cup is really a wonderful initiative with a top organisation. It ensures that science finds its way to the public a little more, something we all benefit from."

Ing. Sebastian Baes
Co-winner of the Flemish Thesis Prize 2020

"Try and fail, but never fail to try. With this in mind, I took part in the Flemish Thesis Prize. When such an attempt results in success, you get an indescribable feeling of appreciation. The Thesis Prize opened doors that I did not even know existed."

Prof. Dr. Lode Daelemans
Runner-up PhD Cup 2018

"The PhD Cup is much more than a competition. During the media training you are given valuable tools to communicate about your research. Although the training focuses on clear communication for a broad audience, my presentations, grant applications, and research proposals have also improved enormously thanks to the PhD Cup."

News

Encourage researchers to engage in science communication, but also teach them how to do so. That's SciMingo's mission! In 2023, we once again threw our full weight behind it. Check out what we've accomplished in 2023 with the illustrative facts and figures in this infographic👇

For his master's thesis, architect Nicolas De Wispelaere (UGent) dreamed of more bathing water for Brussels. To this end, he designed three new swimming facilities at existing locations in the metropolis: in the Résidence Palace, under the tracks of the Brussels South Train Station and on the playgrounds of Brussels schools. His thesis earned him the Flemish Thesis Prize, worth 2,500 euros.

The new season of the SciComm Academy has been launched! Discover our new workshops and learn how to communicate about science on social media in our newest workshop.