History

Science often progresses within laboratories, reports, and the layered structures of academic language. Yet the true power of science emerges when it meets everyday life: when a city talks about water, when a neighborhood discusses climate, when a society tries to understand earthquakes, or when it becomes curious about other social issues and topics. The Akdeniz University Science Communication Office (Akdeniz BİO) was established precisely to make this encounter possible.

Aligned with the Council of Higher Education’s approach to strengthening science communication at the national level, this structure took shape at Akdeniz University with the aim of conveying the scientific knowledge produced at the university to society in a more understandable, accessible, and interactive language.

The institutional foundation of the Office was formalized by a Senate decision dated April 10, 2025, granting Akdeniz BİO its official identity. The establishment process was not merely about opening an “office”; it also involved the formation of a culture within the university that embraces science communication, develops a shared language, and fosters collaborative working practices. One of the key steps that amplified this momentum was the contribution of the science communication community within the university and the spread of awareness about science communication across the entire campus.

One of the first prominent platforms where Akdeniz BİO became visible was the “Science Café” meetings. The event titled “Water Crisis and the Culture of Conservation,” held in Antalya on June 27, 2025, stood out as a gathering that brought science down from the podium, emphasizing questions, lived experiences, and collective reasoning. Subsequent programs expanding to themes such as the climate crisis and earthquakes further reinforced Akdeniz BİO’s approach that “science is part of everyday life.”

 

Today, Akdeniz BİO continues to bring science and society side by side through events, workshops, talks, open lectures, and stakeholder collaborations. Because well-communicated science is not merely information; it is trust, solidarity, and a shared sense of direction toward the future.