Hiking Trips with Science Tips wins the Rannís Award for Science Communication

'Hiking Trips with Science Tips', a collaborative project by the University of Iceland and the Icelandic Touring Association, has won the Rannís Award for Science Communication. The award was presented at the opening of the European Researchers' Night on Saturday 30 September. At the same occasion, Guðrún Bachman, the public relations manager for science communication at the University of Iceland, received an award recognising her contributions to the European Researchers' Night in Iceland.

Hiking Trips with Science Tips are a series of nature walks, where UI academics and scientists share their knowledge and a range of research with the public, including children and young people – especially on topics relating to the biosphere and the environment. Emphasis is placed on educating the public in a engaging way, as well as providing the whole family with an opportunity for outdoor exercise and socialising.

The walks began as a new idea in science communication and were enthusiastically received by the public. The aim of the project is to get people of all ages outdoors exploring the green spaces of the capital area, learning about research, innovation, science and scholarship and indeed anything they might come across on the walk. 

The original plan was to trial the walks as a new public outreach opportunity for families in the University of Iceland's centennial year, 2011, in collaboration with the Touring Association. However, they became so popular that there was no way the project could remain temporary. Over the past decade, UI has organised the walks in collaboration with the Children's Touring Association, a branch of the Icelandic Touring Association. This year has seen record attendance for all walks, the highest in the project's 12 year history. Hiking Trips with Science Tips has also attracted considerable media attention, which has raised its profile and boosted its impact.

Insects, beaches, birds, fish, society and sustainability

A huge number of academics have led walks, but probably none more famous than Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, professor of history at UI and the current President of Iceland. A few years ago, he led a walk with Helgi Gunnlaugsson, professor of criminology at UI, where they shared their knowledge of downtown protests and crime and punishment in a historical context. Other topics that have been covered include the northern lights, insects, fish, migratory birds, and how to forage in Iceland for foods such as mussels, herbs and edible fungi. Walks focused on geology, volcanic eruptions and glaciers have also been popular, as well as history, culture, innovation and sustainability. 

"Each walk explores a specific topic and scientists and academics share knowledge and research directly with participants. This highlights the importance of research for our society and environment, in combination with a fun approach to learning and enjoying the great outdoors. 'Hiking Trips with Science Tips' is therefore the deserving recipient of the 2023 Rannís Award for Science Communication," says a statement from Rannís, the Icelandic Centre for Research.

Guðrún recognised for her contributions to European Researchers' Night

At the opening of the European Researchers' Night, which was extremely well attended, a special award was also presented for the first time in recognition of contributions to the event. The award went to Guðrún Bachmann, public relations manager for science communication at UI, who has been involved with the annual event ever since it began. Guðrún has been part of the Rannís planning team for European Researchers' Night and has also managed contributions from the University of Iceland, which generally provides the majority of exhibitions at the event.

"Since we started holding the European Researchers' Night in 2006, Guðrún Bachmann's contributions have been invaluable. I don't know how we could have done it without her. She has been an absolute inspiration, full of ideas and a very capable manager of the University of Iceland's exhibitions," said Aðalheiður Jónsdóttir, Head of the Rannís Division of Education and Culture. The award was presented by Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.