ParCos · Project

Digital Platform That Turns Science Data Into Visual Stories Anyone Can Understand

digitalTestedTRL 5Thin data (2/5)

Imagine you find a pile of scientific data but have no idea what it means — ParCos built tools that let ordinary people explore that data, make sense of it, and turn it into stories using video, VR, and augmented reality. Think of it like giving everyone a "science translator" that turns numbers and charts into something you'd actually want to watch or interact with. The team tested this across three real case studies, refining the platform through multiple versions so communities could not only consume science but actually participate in interpreting and communicating it.

By the numbers

total project deliverables produced

case studies used to evaluate platform tools and methods

consortium partners across the project

countries represented in the consortium (BE, FI, UK)

demo deliverables including platform versions and Data Explorer

The business problem

What needed solving

Organizations across media, education, and corporate R&D struggle to make scientific data accessible and engaging to non-expert audiences. Traditional science communication is one-directional — experts talk, everyone else listens. This creates a gap where important evidence-based findings fail to reach the people who could benefit from them, and misinformation fills the void.

The solution

What was built

The project built three main tools: the ParCos Platform (iterated from first version to a final integrated release), the ParCos Data Explorer (a visualization tool for exploratory data analysis), and the ParCos Curator (supporting Open Science data curation and re-use). These were supported by a Storyteller component and a Trainer module, totaling 32 deliverables.

Audience

Who needs this

Science museums and exhibition centers looking for interactive digital exhibitsBroadcast media companies producing science documentaries and educational contentCorporate R&D departments needing to communicate technical findings to non-technical audiencesPublic engagement consultancies working with government or EU-funded projectsEdTech companies building data literacy tools for schools and universities

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Science Museums and Exhibition Centers

any

Target: Museums, science centers, and exhibition venues looking to modernize visitor engagement

If you are a science museum struggling with declining visitor engagement and outdated static displays — this project developed the ParCos Data Explorer and Storyteller platform that turns raw scientific data into interactive VR/AR experiences visitors can explore themselves. The platform went through 3 demo versions including a final integrated release, meaning it is ready to adapt for exhibit design. Instead of passive displays, visitors become active interpreters of real data.

Media and Broadcasting

mid-size

Target: Broadcast media companies, documentary producers, and digital content studios

If you are a media company producing science content and finding that audiences disengage from dry expert-driven formats — ParCos created tools that combine data visualization with arts-based storytelling methods, delivered through broadcast media and VR/AR. The project produced 32 deliverables including a complete storytelling platform. This means you can produce science content where audiences interact with the underlying evidence rather than passively watching.

Corporate Communications and CSR

enterprise

Target: Large companies with R&D divisions needing to communicate technical results to non-expert audiences

If you are a company with an R&D department that struggles to explain complex research outcomes to customers, investors, or the public — ParCos built a platform with data curation, exploratory visualization, and participatory storytelling tools. The consortium of 4 partners across 3 countries tested these across diverse audiences. Your technical reports could become interactive data stories that let readers explore the evidence themselves.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt the ParCos platform?

Based on available project data, no pricing or licensing model is mentioned. The project was publicly funded under Horizon 2020 as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), which typically means results are openly available. You would need to contact the coordinator at LUT University in Finland to discuss terms for commercial adaptation.

Can this scale to large audiences or enterprise deployments?

The platform was developed through iterative versions — a first version, then a final integrated platform updated from lessons learned across 3 case studies. While it demonstrated capability with community-scale audiences, scaling to enterprise-level deployments with thousands of concurrent users would likely require additional engineering. The Data Explorer visualization tool was delivered as a standalone component, which helps modularity.

Who owns the intellectual property?

As a Horizon 2020 RIA project, IP typically stays with the consortium partners who created it. The consortium includes 2 universities and 2 other organizations across 3 countries (Belgium, Finland, UK). Any commercial use would require negotiation with the relevant IP holders, likely starting with the coordinator LUT University.

Is the platform still maintained after the project ended in March 2023?

The project closed in March 2023. Based on available project data, there is no information about ongoing maintenance or support. The final platform version was delivered as a project deliverable. Potential adopters should verify current status directly with the development team at LUT University.

What technology does the platform use — VR headsets, web-based, or both?

The project targeted both broadcast media and VR/AR technologies for delivering participatory science stories. The Data Explorer is a visualization tool for exploratory data analysis, suggesting web-based access. Specific hardware requirements for the VR/AR components are not detailed in the available project summary.

Does this comply with open science and data protection regulations?

The ParCos Curator component was specifically designed to support Open Science practices via methods for curation and re-use of science data. The project was developed under EU funding, which mandates GDPR compliance. Detailed compliance documentation would be among the 32 project deliverables.

Consortium

Who built it

The ParCos consortium is small (4 partners) and entirely non-commercial — 2 universities and 2 other organizations, with zero industry partners and zero SMEs. This is a significant flag for anyone looking to adopt the results commercially. The 3-country spread (Belgium, Finland, UK) brings diverse perspectives on science communication, but the absence of any media company, tech firm, or content platform in the consortium means the tools were developed without direct market input. A business adopter would need to invest in adapting the platform for commercial use cases, as no industry validation or market testing was built into the project structure.

LAPPEENRANNAN-LAHDEN TEKNILLINEN YLIOPISTO LUTCoordinator · FI
DE VLAAMSE RADIO EN TELEVISIEOMROEPORGANISATIE NVparticipant · BE
KNOWLE WEST MEDIA CENTRE LBGparticipant · UK
KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVENparticipant · BE

How to reach the team

LUT University (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology), Finland — reach out to the project coordinator through the university's research services office

Order a report on this consortium See LAPPEENRANNAN-LAHDEN TEKNILLINEN YLIOPISTO LUT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore whether ParCos tools could work for your science communication needs? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction to the development team and help assess fit for your use case.

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