FETFX Kick-off: leading the way in communication and engagement in Future and Emerging Technologies

European visionary thinking and scientific excellence: how will FET research impact on society? This was the big question set for the 2-year EFFECT project, funded by the HORIZON2020 Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) – Open Programme. Via the Internet, social media and TV channels, EFFECT was designed to bring easy-to-digest content on Future and Emerging Technologies and engage directly with the general public across Europe and beyond.

The EFFECT project ended in December 2018 but thanks to its successful approaches in promoting and communicating about cutting edge technologies – including an Web award for best website, the project consortium, led by a multidisciplinary team from Italy, Austria and Spain, has recently kicked-off (Rome, 31 January – 1 February 2019) the follow-up project to EFFECT now called FET-FX.

FET research is expected to carve out radically new lines of technology by the resourceful merging of advanced science and cutting-edge engineering ranging from biotech and green technologies to quantum physics, robotics and new materials.

When FET visionary thinking fleshes out the way to fresh powerful applications and scientific excellence, it has to be grounded on defined technology and tangible impacts for society. FET-FX takes up this challenge by bundling FET research and engineering, and reaching out to society with content about real research outcomes in a way that will enhance public understanding and catch investors’ interest. This will thus support an open ecosystem for turning FET research public funding into real benefits for society as a whole.

As with EFFECT, the four project partners will continue to pick the most promising FET research outcomes and will turn these into compelling stories for the general public and targeted stakeholders. A FET community will thus be formed where citizens, policy-makers and investors alike will be able to learn, engage and inspire.

ZABALA Innovation Consulting is involved in the FET-FEX project, led by APRE, the Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea, a non-profit research organisation upon the Italian Ministry of Research and host organization of the Italian National Contact Points for all the themes and sectors and the a hub of research and innovation within the project. The consortium is completed by FONDAZIONE ICONS, a public communication producer and distributor on European research and innovation and EUTEMA, expert for strategic technology management.

ZABALA will lead the screening process of FET funded projects to identify and select the stories that are most interesting to be communicated. ZABALA will also refine and harmonise the projects’ baseline relevant for FET and search for involvement and commitment of results’ owners, interviewing the projects.

FET research is expected to carve out radically new lines of technology, which will impact our daily lives in the years to come. The fascinating world of FET is based on resourceful merging of long-term visionary thinking, high-risk research, novelty, ground-breaking science, cutting edge engineering and interdisciplinary research. FET stories, ranging from biotech and green technologies to quantum physics, robotics and new materials, will find in FETFX the most suitable environment to be easily communicated.

Read and watch FET stories on www.fetfx.eu and share your news about compelling FET projects with FETFX for further communication through our channels.