Skip to main content

How to make Science speak clearly and reach everyone – successful workshop within the TwinSubDyn Project

On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Science Communication Workshop was held at the Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, as part of the TwinSubDyn project (Horizon Europe – Twinning Western Balkans), dedicated to developing science communication skills and promoting science to broader audiences.

The workshop was very well attended, which clearly indicates the growing interest among researchers and teaching staff in learning how to present their work to wider audiences – in clear, engaging, and socially relevant way.

Through interactive lectures and open discussions, participants gained practical insights and heard firsthand experiences from speakers who have been actively involved in various forms of science communication for years.

  • Dr Branislav Jović, Full Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, spoke about challenges faced by modern researchers from project deliverables and reporting obligations to media relations and building trust with decision-makers. His talk “How Has Science Failed?” sparked an engaging discussion on the current role and perception of science in society.
  • Dobrivoje Erić, Head of International Cooperation at the Center for the Promotion of Science, presented different approaches to involving the public in scientific processes in his lecture “How to Communicate Science to (Un)Desired Audiences?” emphasizing the importance of open, tailored communication strategies for different target groups.
  • Dr Dajana Bjelajac, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sciences, through her talk “From Idea to Impact” and the story “Carpe Noctem“, demonstrated how scientific events can be transformed into immersive experiences that break down the barrier between science and the public – especially when addressing topics such as light pollution ant the natural night sky.

Over the course of three hours, participants explored how to make science more visible, inspiring, and accessible to those outside the academic world. The clear goal of the workshop was to empower participants to think creatively and to share their research in a way that people can understand, relate to, and want to follow.

The Science Communication Workshop confirmed the importance of science communication, not only as a skill but also as a responsibility of every researcher who wants to leave an impact beyond scientific journals.

AdRIAtic-ionian Nature based solutioNs Enhancement (ARIANNA)

  • Project title: AdRIAtic-ionian Nature based solutioNs Enhancement (ARIANNA)
  • Project number: IPA-ADRION00530
  • Institutions participating in the project: Lead partner: Regional Strategic Agency for the Ecosustainable Development of the Territory – Puglia Region (Italy). IPA partners: Ministry of Interior- Rescue and Protection Directorate (Montenegro), Development Alternative Resource Center, (Albania). ERDF partners: Regional Agency for Reconstruction – Earthquake 2021 / Emilia Romagna Region (Italy), University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica (Croatia), Fire department Petrinja (Croatia), National Technical University of Athens (Greece)
  • Status in the project: Partner
  • Project coordinator: Marino Spilotros, Regional Strategic Agency for the Ecosustainable Development of the Territory – Puglia Region
  • Project coordinator for the PMF: Miroslav Vujičić (Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management)
  • Project call: Priority 2 – Supporting a greener and climate resilient Adriatic – Ionian region
  • Project type: IPA ADRION
  • Period of realization: 2024-2027
  • Project website: tba

Eco-Friendly Hydrometallurgy for Rare Earths Recycling (FREECOVER)

  • Project title: Eco-Friendly Hydrometallurgy for Rare Earths Recycling (FREECOVER)
  • Project number: 101182579
  • Institutions participating in the project: University of Udine (Italy), Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences (Serbia), Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), Aeris Tecnologías Ambientales S.L. (Spain), SITES Sustainable Innovation Technologies Services Ltd. (Ireland), AD Harbi Ltd. Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), University of Verona (Italy), University of Havana (Cuba)
  • Status in the project: Partner
  • Project coordinator for UNSPMF Slobodan Gadžurić (Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection)
  • Project type: HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01
  • Period of realization: 2025-2028

Towards safer energy storage: next- generation lithium-ion battery electrolytes

  • Project title: Towards safer energy storage: next- generation lithium-ion battery electrolytes
  • Institutions participating in the project: University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences (Serbia) and Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Polytechnic of Milan (Italy)
  • Status in the project: Partner
  • Project leader: Snežana Papović (Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection)
  • Project type: Bilateral collaboration Serbia-Italy
  • Period of realization: 2025-2027

Utilizing nanotechnology and sustainable approaches for environmental remediation in the agri-food systems

  • Project title: Utilizing nanotechnology and sustainable approaches for environmental remediation in the agri-food systems
  • Institutions participating in the project: University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences (Serbia) and University of Torino (Italy)
  • Status in the project: Partner
  • Project leader: Daniela Šojić Merkulov (Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection)
  • Project type: Bilateral collaboration Serbia-Italy
  • Period of realization: 2025-2027

Advanced Techniques of Mathematical Aggregation and Approximative Equations Solving in Digital Operational Research (AT-MATADOR)

  • Project title: Advanced Techniques of Mathematical Aggregation and Approximative Equations Solving in Digital Operational Research (AT-MATADOR)
  • Project number: 6565
  • Institutions participating in the project: Mathematical institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade
  • Status in the project: Partner
  • Project leader: Andreja Tepavčević
  • Project type: Science Fund – PRIZMA
  • Period of realization: 01.12.2023- 30.11.2026 (36 months)
  • Project website: https://www.mi.sanu.ac.rs/novi_sajt/research/projects/at-matador/index.html

Creating Resilient Areas to Develop Lifecycles and Ecosystem Services (CRADLES)

  • Project title: Creating Resilient Areas to Develop Lifecycles and Ecosystem Services (CRADLES)
  • Project number: IPA-ADRION00389
  • Institutions participating in the project: IPA partners: Association for the Protection of Aquatic Biota of Albania, University of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Institute of Marine Biology (Montenegro); ERDF partners: Zadar County, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Croatia), Union of Universities for Marine Science, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy), University of Ioannina – Research Committee, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (Greece)
  • Status in the project: Partner
  • Project Coordinator: Sanja Matić-Skoko, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Croatia
  • Project Coordinator for the PMF: Dušanka Cvijanović (Department of Biology and Ecology)
  • Project Call: Priority Axis 2 – Strategic Projects ISO1
  • Project Type: IPA ADRION
  • Period of realization: 2024-2027
  • Project website: https://cradles.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu

Nature and Radioactivity – Walk, Talk and Learn (NATURALE)

  • Project title: Nature and Radioactivity – Walk, Talk and Learn (NATURALE)
  • Project number: 2237
  • Institutions participating in the project: Faculty of Sciences (Novi Sad), “Isidora Sekulić” Gymnasium (Novi Sad), “Vuk Karadžić” Elementary School (Bačka Palanka)
  • Status in the project: Owner
  • Project leader: Jovana Knežević Radić
  • Project type: Public Call for Citizen Science Research Projects, Center for the Promotion of Science
  • Period of realization: 1.1.2025-31.12.2026
  • Project website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naturale-nature-and-radioactivity-walk-talk-and-learn

Milana Čugalj named the best young chef of Serbia at the ‘Food Vision by Open Balkan’ competition

From November 22 to 24, as part of the ‘Wine Vision by Open Balkan’ festival, the second competition for young chefs was held – Food Vision by Open Balkan.

The top award, the title of the Best Young Chef, was won  by  Milana Čugalj , a PhD student of Gastronomy at the Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad.

Milana Čugalj, with the support of her assistant, successfully competed with more than 30 young and talented chefs. In a challenging competition, her task was to prepare a traditional dish in a modern way, and she decided to prepare  lamb  chop. Through exceptional creativity and professional approach, Milana won a gold medal and the title of the best young chef.

In addition to Milana, the team from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad consisted of three other students whose work, organization and final dishes, received numerous positive reactions from the eminent world committee of judges.

The preparations were conducted under the expert mentorship of Dr. Bojana Kalenjuk Pivarski, Goran Radivojević, Dr. Maja Paunić, as well as assistants Velibor Ivanović and Stefan Šmugović.

Congratulations to Milana Čugalj and her team on this remarkable achievement.

First three places for Serbia at the regional IT competition in Bucharest

At the   regional IT competition “ICPC SEERC 2024,”  teams from Serbia won   the first three places in the competition of 91 teams from 10 countries   and achieved the best success of our country so far, as well as a placement at the European and global level of the prestigious ICPC competition.

The 2024 Southeastern European Regional Contest was held   from 16 to 17 November in Bucharest, Romania for competitors from Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, North Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Serbia.

The competition consisted of 13 tasks that had to be solved in five hours.

Students from the University of Novi Sad (Team Infinity – Tadija Šebez, Nikola Pešić, Viktor Lučić) won the first place,  the second place was taken by the students of the Faculty of Computer Science of the Union University, and the third place by the students at the University of Belgrade.

All three teams have qualified for the European level of the competition, which will take place from February 28 to March 2 next year in Portugal.

The teams of the University of Novi Sad and the Faculty of Computer Science of Union University have directly qualified for the world level of the prestigious competition, which will most likely be held in China.