From 27 to 30 October 2025, Palma de Mallorca hosted a new edition of the Conference on Social Communication of Science (CCSC2025), organised by the Spanish Association of Science Communication (AEC2) and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB).
From 27 to 30 October 2025, Palma de Mallorca hosted a new edition of the Conference on Social Communication of Science (CCSC2025), organised by the Spanish Association of Science Communication (AEC2) and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). Over four intensive days, communicators, journalists, researchers and institutional representatives discussed the challenges and opportunities currently facing science communication in a context shaped by the climate emergency, digital transformation and the spread of disinformation in the public sphere.
Communicating in times of crisis
On 29 October, I had the opportunity to take part in the round table “Crisis? What crisis? Science communication in emergency situations”, alongside Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET); Fernando Simón, director of the Health Alerts and Emergencies Coordination Centre (CCAES); and Jaime Prats, head of institutional communication at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The session was expertly moderated by Rocío Benavente, a science journalist specialising in verification and disinformation at Maldita.es.
The date of the session also coincided with the first anniversary of the DANA that struck the city of Valencia in 2024, adding symbolic and reflective significance to the debate. For me personally, after a year analysing the information disseminated that day and working through European projects such as IBERIFIER and COALESCE on the importance of truthfulness in public institutional communication, it was a unique opportunity to reflect on informational silences and, especially, on the impact of false information.
All participants highlighted the need to improve crisis communication, reinforce the role of science in managing uncertainty, and promote rigorous, transparent and empathetic communication practices that help rebuild citizens’ trust.
That same day, the Spanish Association of Science Communication held its Annual Assembly, where I witnessed the election of Gema Revuelta (UPF) as the new president of AEC2. I wish her the greatest success in the two years ahead and look forward to continuing our collaboration in research projects such as CONFIDES, in which our colleagues from UPF are also involved.
Inspiring perspectives
Throughout the conference, I attended plenary sessions, parallel sessions, workshops, and the opening and closing ceremonies. Among the most noteworthy moments I would like to highlight, on the first place, the inaugural lecture by José Edelstein, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Santiago de Compostela, who offered an inspiring reflection on creativity in science communication; and finally, the closing lecture by Naomi Oreskes, Professor of the History of Science at Harvard University, focused on how disinformation has contributed to blocking climate action, a powerful, timely and necessary talk.
The rest of the round tables and sessions were equally excellent, and I congratulate the organisers and the president of the scientific committee for the quality and diversity of the programme.
An essential meeting point
Once again, CCSC2025 consolidated itself as a key meeting place for sharing experiences, ideas and strategies that strengthen the relationship between science and society. At a time when communication plays a decisive role in enabling informed decision-making, the conference reminded us of the importance of building, through collaboration, narratives grounded in truth, scientific rigour and social commitment.
