FRONTIERS, a journalist in residence at CRAG

The #FRONTIERS program, is a pioneer science journalism initiative, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), to promote journalists to experience an immersive period in a research institution.

This ERC initiative will design a residency program for these journalists to experience an immersive period at a research institution to develop their reporting ideas. CRAG is part of the first European institutions hosting residencies, among other centers in Germany, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Croatia.

Javier Pérez Barbuzano is the journalist chosen to spend his residence at CRAG. This freelance science journalist from the Canary Islands, is one of the 7 profesionals selected from over 30 applicants to participate in the FRONTIERS project. This week, he began his stay at our center, which will last until December, introducing himself and his project proposal to the CRAG community in a seminar held in the auditorium. As he expressed himself: 

"I want to go where my knowledge ends and learn about possible solutions being developed for the major problems we face. It's an opportunity to get to know the technologies that will reshape the food landscape of the future"

In his seminar, the journalist explained, among other topics, his professional experience in the field of science journalism and shared some helpful tips for both interviewers and interviewees. He also encouraged CRAG’s research community to engage in conversations and meetings with him. 

CRAG’s Director María Lois emphasized the center's interest and involvement: 

“We are delighted to welcome Javier today and to be part of this interesting and innovative initiative. We are confident that this experience will contribute to his professional development as well as making our science more open and accessible.” 

About Javier

Javier Pérez Barbuzano is a freelance science journalist from the Canary Islands, with an extensive career as a journalist, contributing to renowned media such as Sky & Telescope, Eos, Science News, Materia/El País, and BBVA Openmind. With a background in Environmental Sciences, he holds a Master's in Science Journalism from Boston University (2017) and has collaborated with prestigious institutions like the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the University of Florida, and the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics.

First weeks: Interviews with the CRAG research team

In his first weeks at CRAG, Javier has already started talking with some of our researchers and delving into their work and research areas. As he says:

"This residency is giving me the opportunity to delve into a type of research that currently has little space in the media, even though it could be key to addressing future challenges."

“Journalists in Residence: Seeking Synergies Between Scientists and Journalists” round table

Javier, together with the CRAG’s communication team, has organized a round table to reflect on the relationship between journalism and science, a vital connection for the dissemination and understanding of scientific knowledge by the public. Scientific journalism acts as a bridge between the academic world and society, playing a key role in facilitating access to information and fostering an informed citizenry. Based on this initiative, the round table titled “Journalists in Residence: Seeking Synergies Between Scientists and Journalists” will take place on Tuesday, December 10, at 3:00 PM in the CRAG Auditorium (UAB Campus).

This event will provide a unique opportunity to explore these synergies and discuss how journalists and scientists can collaborate to make science more accessible and understandable to the general public. The panel will feature Javier Pérez Barbuzano, the CSIC researcher at CRAG, Núria Sánchez-Coll, and the science journalists Michele Catanzaro and Cristina Sáez as moderator. We encourage you to join us!

You can read more information about the FRONTIERS project here.