Hi, my name is Sofía and I’m a Spanish student. I’ve decided to set out on a journey to northern Europe as a part of an exchange programme to share my passion for science with other students and teachers from Nordic countries. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation has asked me to relate my experience, so I’ve chosen to start this blog in which I’ll describe the Spanish system for research and innovation. Who knows?, perhaps I myself will discover new aspects of the system thanks to the questions posed by my colleagues. In any event, I’ll keep you posted.
Chapter 23
Sofía starts work. Monologues on science: FameLab
27.02.2017
After a lot of hard work, here I am with good news about my professional career – I’ve been accepted to begin researching in one of the centres of the Superior Council of Scientific Research – CSIC! And I’ve decided to celebrate by participating in FameLab, an unusual initiative for scientific dissemination.
Chapter 22
Science diplomacy as an element of foreign policy
10.02.2017
The Canary Islands are home to the European Northern Observatory, involving over sixty institutions from nineteen countries, thanks to the Agreement and Protocol on Cooperation in Astrophysics. Jonas and I went to visit it and we saw at first hand how cooperation for development is one of Spain’s primary objectives.
Chapter 21
Foundations that work to promote and disseminate science
06.02.2017
Spain is a country that works to promote and disseminate science through public and private organizations. The aim is to increase the interest of society in science, technology and innovation and, as a result, to increase public awareness of and participation in science. Minerva and I have had the opportunity to get to know these organizations up close so I thought I’d tell you all about it!
Chapter 20
Opportunities for foreign researchers in Spain
26.01.2017
Foreign researchers and students find Spain to be one of the most attractive countries in the European Union thanks to its participation in international promotion programmes and the grants that it offers for the development of Science and Innovation. That is how a Norwegian friend I met when I was on the exchange programme has found a job as a researcher in Spain.
Chapter 19
Associations of Spanish scientists abroad
17.01.2017
Associations of Spanish scientists meet the need of researchers working abroad to promote the role of science, technology and their professionals in our society. Its members don’t only disseminate the important work carried out by the Spanish science and technology professional community abroad, they also have the chance to broaden their professional career opportunities, move to other countries more easily and integrate into the local community in the country where they live.
Chapter 18
Spanish science for development
12.01.2017
César Velasco is the Spanish scientist chosen by Forbes magazine as “The most influential scientist under the age of 30 in Europe” for his dedication to fighting Ebola. As a result of my postgraduate projects I’ve become involved in the field of development cooperation and that’s why I’m dazzled by César Velasco, for whom I feel tremendous admiration.
Chapter 17
Science and Brand Spain
29.12.2016
Spanish science is spreading to various sectors, united by the same goal: to make science acquire an increasingly greater importance in its economy and society.
Chapter 16
The Dream Team of Spanish science
21.12.2016
Spain is the tenth world power in science and is one of the top scientific content publishing countries in the world. My country does science in teams, that’s one of the things I find most attractive about finding a job at a research centre in Spain.
Chapter 15
Prominent Spanish scientists
14.12.2016
Reinventing the established order is essential to open up paths that don’t exist until we create them, and… isn’t that what we scientists do with research and innovation? In Spain there are some scientists with incredible international renown who we dream about getting a well-deserved Noble Prize
Chapter 14
The importance of Spanish science in the world
07.12.2016
Today I had the pleasure of visiting the CNIC facilities following an invitation from my friend Minerva, who wanted to show me her workplace and introduce me to her colleagues. I left feeling very inspired both by my tour and by seeing for myself the steps involved in applying to such a distinguished centre. Spain is a country with really active science and research!
Chapter 13
Centres of excellence
29.11.2016
I’m in Spain again! And I’m back to tell you about this new stage in my life. I’ve made friends from all over the world who I share interests with, I’ve received very stimulating training and I’ve discovered the beauty of the Nordic countries…
Chapter 12
Looking Forward
23.02.2016
Our Northern stay has come to an end and Bobby and I are going back to Spain with mixed feelings of joy and sadness. I may make my contribution from Spain, my own country, or from abroad … Who knows? What I know for sure is that I’ll work hard and enjoy myself just as I’ve done sharing my experience with you all in this blog.