Launching the 2026/2027 edition of the Master in Scientific Communication—CoSe—at the University of Parma.
The program, now in its sixth edition, is the first university master’s program in scientific communication delivered entirely online. Born within the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Parma, it stands out for a strongly interdisciplinary approach. It is designed for those who want to pursue a career in science communication, but also for physicians, journalists, researchers, and professionals who aim to expand their communication skills and enhance their résumés.
Opening of the 2026/2027 Edition
Officially launching the annual advanced training program will be Alberto Mantovani, internationally renowned immunologist and oncologist.
Mantovani will deliver the keynote lecture titled “Defenses of the Immune System: a frontier of research and effective communication” on November 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the University.
The event will be introduced by the university’s rector, Paolo Martelli, and by Susanna Esposito, the Master’s chair and a leading pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Parma’s Integrated University Hospital. The lecture, aimed at the 60 students enrolled in the sixth edition of the Master, will bring together faculty and students from the university and will be open to the public.
Objectives and Content of the Master’s Program
The goal of the Master is to train well-rounded science communicators, capable of using diverse languages and tools—from traditional media to social networks—to disseminate scientific and health information effectively.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, nutrition, sustainability, public health, and digital outreach, with a continually updated approach to the latest trends in communication.
What makes the Master CoSe unique is its faculty—a body of 85 experts in scientific communication drawn from across Italy: university professors, journalists, science communicators, and industry professionals.
Structure and Delivery
The program began on November 5 and will run through June 2027. It comprises 1,500 total hours, distributed across online lectures (both synchronous and asynchronous), independent study, internships or research projects, and a final written paper. At the end of the course, participants will earn 60 academic credits.
The fully online format enables participants to attend classes remotely and to balance training with professional or academic commitments.
The 2025/2026 Edition: Final Theses
On October 8 and 9, 2026, the thesis presentations for the 2025/2026 cohort wrapped up, with 38 graduates presenting. As in previous years, the theses covered a broad spectrum of topics, all sharing one objective: to study and convey the most effective strategies for communicating science. The theses emerged from the interdisciplinary insights offered by instructors during lectures and, in several cases, were developed from project work or internship experiences. These projects are of considerable interest and, in many instances, provide avenues for further research and practical applications.
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