How can we build a bridge between researchers and the public? How can you talk about your job as a researcher in front of a school class? How can you evaluate survey data if you are a molecular biologist? These and many other questions were answered throughout my internship at Vetenskap & Allmänhet.
When I first arrived at the office in Östermalm, I felt a little nervous. In recent years, I had only practiced the Swedish language during language courses. Now it was up to the test to see if I would succeed in fulfilling one of my goals for the internship: to communicate in Swedish full-time in a work context. Furthermore, after five years of working in a research laboratory, I would now be faced with brand new tasks and challenges in the realm of science communication.
Upon stepping through the gate to the office building that houses Vetenskap & Allmänhet and other prestigious organizations, such as the Kungliga Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien, questions like, “Will I fit in here? How will it go with the Swedish?” were floating through my head.
But soon, all my worries about feeling misplaced or unprepared were resolved as I was welcomed with open arms by the wonderfully kind people working at Vetenskap & Allmänhet.
What remained in the beginning was a bit of uncertainty about the roles behind the titles “project leader,” “communicator,” and “investigator.” However, this knowledge gap was soon filled. By immersing myself in office life, I learned how many fascinating science communication events are driven forward by Vetenskap & Allmänhet, not only in Sweden but also across Europe.
By immersing myself in office life, I learned how many fascinating science communication events are driven forward by Vetenskap & Allmänhet, not only in Sweden but also across Europe.
I quickly realized how much work must be carried out in the background to successfully implement these events and how important it is to communicate about them effectively.
Furthermore, I had the pleasure of observing the winner of the Researcher Grand Prix as he presented his scientific journey and educated school children about his ongoing research (read more here).
My skills from previous education also came in handy, as I helped analyze survey data and examined the results from a statistical perspective.
This part of my internship provided me with insights into the Swedish school system, focusing on technology education in primary schools—a topic that was completely new to me as a foreigner with no prior contact with the local school system.
Now, at the end of my internship, it is time for a little reflection. It was a very eventful and fruitful month, filled with a variety of new learning experiences and valuable insights. If you have self-doubts about your Swedish proficiency, as I did, I have one recommendation: believe in yourself and do not be afraid to push your limits by jumping into cold water and immersing yourself in a Swedish work environment.
Believe in yourself and do not be afraid to push your limits by jumping into cold water and immersing yourself in a Swedish work environment.
My Swedish proficiency significantly improved within just one month, and I am truly grateful for how patient and helpful the Vetenskap & Allmänhet team was in including me in all their conversations and interactions.
Additionally, I now have a clear picture of many of the ongoing science communication efforts driven forward by Vetenskap & Allmänhet, and I can only admire all the hard work that the team puts into transforming these efforts into valuable experiences.
All in all, I want to thank Vetenskap & Allmänhet and the Karolinska Institutet Career Service for giving me the opportunity to work in such a fantastic environment. I highly recommend pursuing an internship at Vetenskap & Allmänhet to anyone interested in science communication and learning from true experts in this field.
/Nils Simon, PhD & intern at Vetenskap & Allmänhet
Nils Simon holds a PhD from Karolinska Institutet. In his doctoral studies the scientist investigated chronic rheumatoid arthritis pain in a pre-clinical setting.
Nils’ one-month internship at Public & Science Sweden is supported by the Karolinska Institutet career service.
