Javier Santaolalla, science populariser: "Videos, reels and memes give way to new ways of popularising science on social networks".

What role do social networks play in popularising science? What are the keys to creating attractive content? As part of the programme of activities of the #LabMeCrazy! Science Film Festival- the LabMeCrazy Social Media Forum, a meeting with experts in social networks and science communication. The event will take place on Wednesday 23 February at the Faculty of Communication.

The day begins on Wednesday 23 February at 10 a.m. with the conference "Trends and future prospects for the dissemination of science on social networks", by the engineer, physicist and science populariser Javier Santaolalla. The most important thing in social networks is to be active and always keep your target audience in mind: "Social networks help to reach new audiences and to make room for new forms of popularisation such as videos, reels or memes", says the expert, founding member of Big Van scientists on wheels, lecturer, youtuber, researcher in education and author of six books.

The figure of the disseminator in social networks

The aim of the conference is to delve into the opportunities that exist to disseminate science, with the experience of content creators with a consolidated career. After the conference, there will be a round table on "The figure of the populariser in social networks as a trusted content producer" with the participation of the tiktoker Tere Paneque and the populariser Álex Riveiro. Riveiro, science communicator, author of astrobitacora.com, and of the books Hacia las estrellas and Más allá de las Estrellas, advises to have a direct, simple style in social networks and "try not to make science intimidating to anyone. It may seem like a complex world from the outside, but like everything else, it is only complex until you start to get familiar with it".

For her part, astronomer Tere Paneque, Master in Astronomy at the University of Chile, science communicator in networks and author of the book El Universo según Carlota, points out that empathy, closeness and authenticity are important in the management of social networks. "I really like the concept of 'democratising knowledge' and social networks make that possible. They make concepts, ideas and images visible and accessible that were previously only seen in university lecture halls, paid lectures or books.

The forum will conclude at 12 noon with a video production workshop by Javier Santaolalla. Although admission is free, places must be reserved through the scientific film festival's website: labmecrazy.org.

#LabMeCrazy! Science Film Festival is an international scientific film festival, promoted by the Science Museum of the University of Navarra -with the collaboration of the Government of Navarra, Pamplona City Council, Laboral Kutxa and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology FECYT/Ministry of Science and Innovation-, which aims to bring science closer to society and especially to new generations. The 3rd edition will be held from 21 to 25 February 2022 in Pamplona.