Are you working out how to talk about your research or your art in today’s media landscape? The ABOAGORA Workshop series invites MA arts students, doctoral researchers, and newly graduated doctors in the arts, humanities, and sciences to spend three days this autumn in Turku/Åbo — in talks, workshops, and casual get-togethers — reflecting on the challenges, possibilities, and responsibilities of communicating science and art today. The series closes with an invitation to ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger, 23–25 September.
Programme
28 August, 17–18 — Winged Messaging in a Foreign Language Bonfire Hall, Astra, Porthaninkatu 3
Journalist and writer Maxim Fedorov explores how creative expression in a foreign language opens new ways of communicating across cultures and emotional experience. This talk is open to the public. Before it starts, drop by Solsidan — the restaurant right next to the hall — for relaxed afterwork drinks with the ABOAGORA team and your fellow applicants, and a good chance to ask us anything about the workshop series or ABOAGORA more broadly. Selections won’t have been made yet at this point, so it’s also a chance to meet everyone in the running, not just those chosen for the workshop.
18 September, 11–15 — Creating Meaningful Connections: The Importance of Trust in a Changing World
Bonfire Hall, Astra, Porthaninkatu 3 & BlackBox ARC 269, Arcanuminkuja 1
Science communicator, researcher, and epidemiologist Emma Frans (Karolinska Institutet) — known for her ”Vetenskapskollen” (”Science Watch”) column in Svenska Dagbladet — gives an open talk, followed by a workshop session with participants.
22 September, 14:00–17:00 — Art and Science Communication in a Changing World
Hilma, Astra, Porthaninkatu 3
Journalist Henry Tikkanen (YLE, Tiedetrippi podcast), bioarchaeologist and docent Ulla Nordfors (University of Turku), and journalist Vaula Helin (Uusi Juttu) discuss current themes — and their own work — in science and arts journalism.
23–25 September — ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger
Workshop participants are invited to the main ABOAGORA event at the Sibelius Museum, bringing together humanities, natural sciences, and the arts to explore its theme both literally and metaphorically. See the full programme.
What’s included?
– Coffee, snacks, and lunch on 18 and 22 September, and throughout the main event
– Free admission to ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger
– The chance to meet and connect with professionals in science and arts communication, fellow early-career researchers, artists, and ABOAGORA Retreat alumni
– The possibility of publishing your work on ABOAGORA’s new blog platform for Retreat alumni and future participants
How to apply?
Open to MA arts students, doctoral researchers, and newly graduated doctors in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Apply via the Webropol form and attach a short CV (max. 1 page) — the deadline has been extended to 28 August 2026.
About ABOAGORA
ABOAGORA brings together academia, the arts, and society. Since its inaugural year in 2011, it has offered researchers, artists, and the public a forum for new dialogues and new forms of collaboration. Its annual event combines interdisciplinary discussions, sessions, and performances that bring scholarly and artistic viewpoints together. The 2026 main event, ABOAGORA: Mercury, the Winged Messenger, takes place 23–25 September at the Sibelius Museum, Turku.
In 2024, ABOAGORA launched a new seven-year thematic plan, The Planets, inspired by Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite of the same name. ABOAGORA is a joint effort by the University of Turku, the Turku University Foundation, Åbo Akademi University, the Åbo Akademi University Foundation, and the Arts Academy of Turku University of Applied Sciences.
More at the website.
Contact
Questions? Email aboagora@utu.fi
- Ilmoituksen tyyppi:
- Muut ilmoitukset
- Vanhenee:
- Yhteyshenkilö nimi:
- Liisa Lalu
- Yhteyshenkilö sähköposti:
- Yhteyshenkilö puhelinnumero:
- +358 50 570 4017
- Verkkosivut:
- Avaa verkkosivut