S.I.S.S.A. MEDIALAB SRL

Their core work

SISSA Medialab is a science communication company based in Trieste, Italy, affiliated with the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA). They specialize in translating complex scientific research into accessible content for the public, journalists, and educators — working across formats including science journalism, museum exhibits, and educational programmes. In EU projects, they typically handle dissemination, public engagement, and science-society dialogue, serving as the communication bridge between research consortia and broader audiences.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2018-2019) was as a third-party contributor embedded in hard-science research projects — geosciences (SALTGIANT) and theoretical physics (EuroPLEx) — where their role was making complex science publicly accessible. Their later projects (RETHINK, PHERECLOS) shifted to direct participation in science-society and education projects, suggesting a move from service-oriented dissemination work toward leading engagement in science communication policy, RRI, and open education.

Moving from supporting research projects with communication services toward actively shaping how science connects with education, museums, and the public — making them an increasingly strategic partner for projects with strong public engagement mandates.

How they like to work

SISSA Medialab never coordinates projects — they join as either a third-party specialist or a standard participant, always in a supporting communication role. Despite their small size, they have worked with 80 unique partners across 24 countries, indicating they are highly networked and trusted by diverse consortia. Their pattern suggests they are sought out specifically for their science communication capabilities rather than building long-term research partnerships with the same groups.

With 80 unique consortium partners across 24 countries from just 4 projects, SISSA Medialab has an exceptionally wide network relative to its size — reflecting the large, multinational consortia typical of MSCA and RIA projects they join. Based in Trieste, they show no particular geographic bias, working pan-European.

What sets them apart

What sets SISSA Medialab apart is their rare combination: a private company with deep roots in a world-class research institution (SISSA), able to translate frontier physics, geoscience, and other complex topics into genuinely engaging public content. Unlike generic communication agencies, they understand the science they communicate. For any consortium needing credible, high-quality public engagement or dissemination — particularly where EU visibility and RRI obligations are important — they bring specialist capability that most research partners cannot match internally.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RETHINK
  Their largest funded project (EUR 161,500), directly addressing science journalism and Responsible Research and Innovation — core to their identity as a science communication firm.
• PHERECLOS
  Tackles open schooling and children's universities, showing their reach extends beyond journalism into formal and informal education pathways.
• EuroPLEx
  Demonstrates ability to communicate highly abstract topics (quantum field theory, lattice QCD) to public audiences — a rare and difficult skill.