Science communication is at a pivotal stage in its evolution due to the emergence of digital communication platforms that are not only presenting new opportunities but are also leading to new challenges. RETHINK will provide an unprecedented view of the new science communication landscape to reveal the barriers and inequalities that stand in the way of open and reflexive connections between science and society. It will also present the way forward, encouraging evidence-based transformations in science communication practice as well as guiding relevant policy to further open Research & Innovation (R&I) to society.To achieve this, RETHINK will provide a 360° view of the current science communication landscape. It will map current science communication activities across Europe, including those taking place in the currently uncharted digital sphere. It will seek input from R&I stakeholders who are currently disengaged with science communication. Outputs will be new ways of training those who engage in science communication, including those underserved by current training - such as bloggers and social media commentators. There will be online briefs aimed at changing current science communication practices to break down barriers preventing open R&I and reach underserved audiences across the EU. Strategies will be developed to improve individual and collective sensemaking by enhancing its openness and reflexivity. Guidance on policy will also be provided to create an environment that encourages open R&I. All of these outputs will be open access, as will the data generated during the research process to encourage a broad discussion and maximise uptake. RETHINK will bring about meaningful, long-term change in science communication to maximise the opportunities and overcome the challenges of digitalisation, allowing the sector to help society meet key challenges across the European community and beyond.

The “Societal Engagement with Key Enabling Technologies (SocKETs)” project has as its main objective to enable industry (e.g. manufacturers and suppliers) to engage with citizens on developing Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) that consider societal priorities, expectations and concerns. SocKETs will develop a digital, free and easy-to-use toolbox, that enable key enabling technologies to be developed in dialogue with citizens and society. The project brings together a consortium providing access to industry actors and innovation networks, manufacturers, professional users, and citizens. It combines the opportunity to test, prototype, evaluate and distribute tools of co-creative citizen and societal engagement, from the laboratory and innovation networks of innovators, to the science museums of civil society. To this end, SocKETs has developed six test cases across Europe. Three cases are coordinated by SocKETs partners with their local networks (wearable electronics and health by 2/DTI, Denmark, Industrial Automation system and the changing nature of work by 3/TEC, Spain and advanced manufacturing technologies; advanced materials; ICT, Internet of Thing, AI and blockchain tech by 5/AIRI, Italy.), and three cases are developed though linked third parties of the ECSITE network (Bulgaria, Science Centre AHHAA, Tartu, Centre for the Promotion ofThe project “Societal Engagement with Key Enabling Technologies (SocKETs)” has as its main objective to connect key enabling technologies (KETs) with society, societal challenges and citizens. The project brings together researchers (including social science and humanities), with industry, manufacturers, professional users and citizens to analyse: 1) the potential and challenges for KETs to contribute to solving societal challenges, 2) the participatory tools and methodologies available for industry to collaborate with citizens and other societal stakeholders, and 3) priorities of citizens and societal stakeholders for KETs.