Two passions, one path

You studied Biology, completed a postgraduate degree in Neuroscience & Brain Health, and have a keen interest in language and literature as well. How did you end up in science communication?

Liza Moreels: “I’ve actually always had two major interests. On the one hand, science, understanding how things work and how life functions, and on the other, literature and language. In both worlds, I can channel my curiosity and imagination. Science communication is where those two passions come together.

During my studies, science communication came up regularly, but it was often focused on communicating with and for other scientists. It was only during the course Science Communication & Outreach that we looked at science communication in all its different forms. Together with fellow students, I chose an assignment in collaboration with Scivil. We were asked to help design a quiz that matches citizens to different citizen scientist profiles through a series of fun questions and introduces them to projects that align with their interests.

At the time, citizen science was a completely new concept to me, but it immediately caught my attention. Scivil took us through the world of citizen science, showed us how it works in practice, and provided excellent guidance throughout the project.”

No two days the same

This summer, you joined Scivil as an intern and became part of the team. What was that experience like?

Liza Moreels: “Surprising! Before starting, I said I wanted to learn as much as possible and that I was looking for variety. Scivil exceeded those expectations completely, which is by no means a given and something I’m very grateful for.”

You contributed to several projects, including Citizens4Water, Maarallee and ELF. What did that involve in practice?

Liza Moreels: “For Citizens4Water, I had the opportunity to help write an interview and a newsletter, manage website content and create social media posts. For Maarallee, my tasks included distributing flyers, providing input for the app, creating social media content and testing the Maarallee Zooniverse platform. I also helped test the protocol for a new citizen science project, ELF, and stayed in touch with various partners.

Working with so many different forms of communication allowed me to strengthen my skills in adaptive science communication. Being able to put yourself in the shoes of your audience, whether they are scientists, policymakers, pupils or citizens, is a skill that should never be underestimated. Every target group requires a different approach, and experimenting with that was incredibly valuable.”

In front of the camera too

We also spotted you regularly on our social media channels this summer. What was it like to contribute to Scivil’s communications work?

Liza Moreels: “Anyone who knows me will tell you that I was never destined to become an influencer. But for an organisation like Scivil, whose mission I wholeheartedly support, I was more than happy to contribute to social media content.

This summer, I especially enjoyed joining Alyssa, Scivil’s social media manager, on various filming trips. Together, we visited different locations to create short videos showcasing the profiles from the Citizen Science Test. That was particularly rewarding because, as a student, I had helped develop those profiles myself.

With social media, you can move from idea to implementation and results fairly quickly. It also gives you plenty of room for creativity.”

A close-knit community

Were there any things that surprised you during your time at Scivil?

Liza Moreels: “What stood out most to me was how closely connected the citizen science world is. People keep up with one another’s work, encourage each other and are always willing to lend a hand when needed. It was really motivating to see.

For example, while filming, we were welcomed with open arms at impressive locations such as the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and the Royal Observatory of Belgium. That definitely left a lasting impression on me.”

Citizen science leaves you wanting more

Looking back on your summer at Scivil, what will you take away from the experience?

Liza Moreels: “I’ve learned that citizen science is a field where I truly feel at home. That great colleagues are worth their weight in gold. And that the specific tasks matter less when you genuinely believe in the goals you are working towards.”

Would you recommend an internship or student job at Scivil to other students?

Liza Moreels: “Absolutely. Anyone who wants to learn in an open and motivating environment and who has a genuine interest in supporting citizen science projects or science communication will feel right at home here.”