DATE: March 16, 2026
Partner organization: WONDERFUND AB
Ariunzaya Munkhbat
Have you ever struggled to explain your research to someone outside your field? Perhaps, you’ve been asked to “simplify it,” only to wonder how to do so without losing scientific accuracy. You are not alone.
In fact, many researchers, especially in the early stages of their careers, are highly trained in academic writing and conference presentations. Yet very few receive structured preparation in communicating their work to policymakers, interdisciplinary peers, or the general public. At the same time, public trust in science depends heavily on clear and transparent communication. Findings from the OECD and Eurobarometer show that trust in science increases significantly when scientists communicate accessibly and openly.
This is why the STREAM IT Project launched its mentoring programme to help students acquire the skills necessary to effectively communicate their research. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of the STREAM IT Mentoring Programme, Implementation of the Programme in Sweden and a few highlights from the journey.
About the STREAM IT Project
The STREAM IT Project is an EU-funded project that aims to address persisting gender inequalities in STEM education, research, and innovation to contribute to the implementation of the ‘The European Manifesto for gender-inclusive STE(A)M education and careers’.
During the project’s research phase, one insight became clear: Scientific excellence alone is not enough. To create real societal impact, research must be communicated clearly to scientists, decision-makers, industry leaders, and the public. Translating complex scientific findings into understandable, engaging messages is a skill in itself and one that must be intentionally developed.
Hence, STREAM IT partners across 10 countries implement a structured Mentoring Programme for university students in STEAM fields. The programme is designed to:
- Improve their science communication skills
- Build confidence
- Support university students in the early stages of their career path
The programme culminates in national and international science communication competitions, providing participants with a real-world platform to present their research beyond academia. When the programme ends, the STREAM IT Project will refine and optimize the programme for broader dissemination and application based on evaluations and feedback from participating partner organizations.
Implementation of the Mentoring Programme in Sweden
In late November, 2025, Wonderfund AB, the Swedish partner of the STREAM IT Project, launched an open call for applications. Thanks to our team, supporters and STREAM IT consortium partners, we selected 12 mentees from all levels of education with diverse backgrounds studying in fields such as Biotechnology, Medical Science, Cells and Molecular Biology, Computer Science, Biophysics, Cryomedicine, Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences. The cohort represents an international group of talents from Austria, Colombia, India, Lithuania, Ukraine, Hungary, and Sweden, reflecting the truly global nature of science.
From January 30 to March 31, 2026, our mentees will have 6 group sessions and 1-2 hour individual mentoring sessions.
Individual sessions:
Each mentee is assigned a primary mentor who provides personalised guidance tailored to their research topic, communication challenges, and career aspirations. However, the programme encourages cross-mentoring where mentees may also book sessions with other mentors to benefit from diverse expertise.
Group sessions:
The group sessions foster peer learning, collaboration and collective problem-solving. The sessions include:
- “Self-confidence & branding”
- “How to perform well in science communication?”
- “Development of communication and presentation skills in STEAM fields”
The above sessions are led by our expert mentors, Arwa Mustafa, Corinne Trang and Inese Podgaiska, who bring experience from research, innovation, and international communication contexts. Before and after each session, mentees get reading materials and assignments from the mentors to hone their skills further.
To share a few highlights from the group sessions. In the “Self-confidence & branding” module, one of the most powerful messages shared focused on confidence. As mentors explained to the mentees, confidence should not be seen as a personality trait or a feeling that some people naturally possess. Instead, confidence is a muscle that must be trained for endurance, stability, and control. It grows through preparation, clarity, and practice. When researchers are clear about the purpose of their work and remain steady when questioned, confidence naturally follows.
Another key session, “How to Perform Well in Science Communication,” gave mentees the opportunity to reflect on how they present their own research. What made this session especially valuable was its hands-on nature. Participants actively experimented with adapting their message depending on the audience. The discussion emphasized that effective science communication is not simply about simplifying complex information. Rather, it is about creating connection, clarity, and meaningful impact.
In the module on “Development of communication and presentation skills in STEAM fields”, mentees explored techniques that make presentations memorable and engaging. One striking insight shared during the session was that presentations that include stories can be up to 22 times more memorable than those built only on facts. Participants were encouraged to bring genuine enthusiasm to their topics: if the presenter is not excited about the research, it becomes difficult for the audience to feel engaged. The mentors also emphasized a simple but essential principle for success in science communication: engage the audience rather than read from slides, and practice, practice, practice.
National and International Science Communication Competition
The Swedish Science Communication Competition will take place on April 10, 2026. The mentees will have 8-10 minutes to present their research to the general audience and expert jury who are representatives from the largest research facilities such as CERN, GSI and ESS.
The challenge is clear: Communicate complex research with clarity, confidence, and impact.
The winner of the Swedish competition will advance to the International Science Communication Competition, where they will compete with winners from nine other STREAM IT partner countries. Beyond winning, the competition provides something even more valuable – a platform to make science visible, accessible, and meaningful.
Final Remarks
Scientific discoveries only create real impact when they are understood by policymakers shaping decisions, by industries driving innovation, and by citizens whose lives are directly affected. By empowering young researchers with communication skills, STREAM IT strengthens not only individual careers but also the connection between science and society. At Wonderfund, we are proud to contribute to this mission. We remain committed to supporting inclusive, empowering initiatives that amplify young talents and make science more accessible.