Call for participants: ABOAGORA Workshop series
Art and Science Communication in a Changing World
The ABOAGORA Workshop series: Art and Science Communication in a Changing World invites MA Arts Students, doctoral researchers and newly graduated doctors in the arts, humanities, and sciences to reflect together on how to communicate their work in science and/or the arts in the contemporary media landscape. The workshop series takes place in Turku/Åbo on 28 August, 18 September, and 22 September, and the participants are invited to ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger on 23–25 September.
ABOAGORA – Between Arts and Sciences is a project that brings together academia, the arts and society. The 2026 main event, ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger, takes place on 23–25 September 2026 at the Sibelius Museum, Turku. See the programme: https://www.aboagora.fi/program/
The workshop series is structured around talks, workshops, and casual get-togethers that explore the challenges, possibilities, and responsibilities artists and scholars face when communicating their work. It offers moments and places to share, listen and reflect attentively on the questions concerning messages, communication, and interaction. It is also a great opportunity to engage with artists and scholars from different fields and backgrounds, and to create exciting new collaborations!
Program
ABOAGORA Workshop series: Art and Science Communication in a Changing World
28.8.2026 at 17-18: Avant Aboagora: Winged Messaging in a Foreign Language
Bonfire Hall, Astra, Porthaninkatu 3
Journalist and writer Maxim Fedorov will explore how creative expression in a foreign language can open new ways of communicating across cultures and emotional experiences. The Avant Aboagora event is open to the public, but before it starts, you’re welcome to come meet the Aboagora team and other participants in the workshop series for a relaxed after-work.
18.9.2026 Avant Aboagora talk & workshop -day
On this day, we welcome the well-known science communicator, researcher, and epidemiologist Emma Frans from the medical university Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. She is also known for writing the column “Vetenskapskollen” (“Science Watch”) in the newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, where she examines the correctness and scientific accuracy of sensational news and popular science articles. Emma Frans will give an open talk, after which she will lead a short workshop session with the participants.
22.9.2026, 14–16 Avant Aboagora afternoon
This Avant Aboagora afternoon will bring together journalist Henry Tikkanen (YLE, Tiedetrippi-podcast), bioarchaeologist and docent Ulla Nordfors (University of Turku), and journalist Vaula Helin (Uusi Juttu) to discuss topical themes in contemporary science and arts journalism, as well as their own work.
The Workshop series is free of charge, and it includes:
• coffee, snacks, and lunches during the workshop days on 18 and 22 September, as well as during ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger
• free admission to ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger 23–25 September
• the opportunity to meet and connect with professionals in science and arts communication, as well as fellow early-career researchers, artists, and Aboagora Retreat alumni
• the possibility of publishing your work on the Aboagora website, where we will launch a blog platform for Retreat alumni and future participants
Participants will be invited to ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger event on September 23–25 at the Sibelius Museum in Turku. The event brings together viewpoints from social sciences, cultural studies, natural sciences, and the arts to explore the theme both literally and metaphorically.
How to Apply?
We welcome applications from doctoral researchers, newly graduated doctors and MA Arts Students – Apply by August 15 via this Webropol form.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at aboagora@utu.fi.
ABOAGORA is a meeting place for researchers and artists, an enabler of cooperation and a space for new creation. The project’s annual activities include an international three-day main event organized at the Sibelius Museum in Turku, a research retreat and open Avant Aboagora pre-events. The project launched in Turku’s capital of culture year 2011 is now a pioneer in the field of science and art cooperation. The event is based on the ethos that comprehensive problem solving requires not only interdisciplinary approach but also combining scientific and artistic perspectives. The organizers of ABOAGORA are the University of Turku, Åbo Akademi, Turku Academy of Arts, Åbo Akademi University Foundation and Turku University Foundation. ABOAGORA in 2026 is supported by the Kone Foundation, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Svenska Kulturfonden and William Thurings stiftelse.