We strive to make science more participatory!
DISSCO designs and delivers science communication and public engagement strategies, using storytelling formats, citizen science and playful activities.
Our aim is to help democratize science by making it more participatory and accessible, and to empower scientists as well as people with other backgrounds, in order to contribute to a more informed and responsible society.
Partner with us to broaden the impact of your project across diverse communities.
What DISSCO stands for
Dissemination
The production of scientific knowledge has increased dramatically in the last decades, reinforced by the advancement of technology. However, real dissemination of results requires a good understanding of how research takes place, as well as being able to access and meaningfully interpret the data produced. We strive to make science accessible and understandable to everyone, by providing opportunities to experience and mutually learn. This involves not only the sharing of results, but also ensuring those are presented in an appropriate manner.
Science
Science plays a crucial role in shaping our everyday lives, and utilizing scientific knowledge can help us deepen our understanding of the world around us and improve our quality of life. Everyone has the right to be informed about scientific developments and the potential to engage with the scientific decision-making process, if we make it more accessible. By engaging both scientists and the public in science communication and capacity building activities, we not only make it easier for researchers to share their findings, but also ensure a more democratic and inclusive approach to science.
Communication
Effective science communication goes beyond just the sharing of information, and requires a collaborative approach between researchers and non-experts. By working together and co-creating solutions, we can harness the power of multiple perspectives and improve access to knowledge, as well as increase the societal relevance of scientific findings. Our science communication initiatives aim to foster this collaboration by providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between researchers and the public. Our goal is to contribute to a more responsible society, where everyone has the ability to make informed decisions.
Origin & Team
DISSCO ‘s journey began in 2017 by Evgenia Tsianou. Panos Petridis, a long-time collaborator on various projects, officially joined DISSCO Lab (Dissemination – Science – Communication Lab) in 2023, bringing his expertise in transdisciplinary research and project management. DISSCO has since evolved into a non-profit association that bridges science, society, the environment, and the arts.
Evgenia Tsianou
A science communicator bringing a playful approach to making science participatory. Through a combination of academic learning in Atmospheric and Climate Science at ETH Zürich and Environmental Engineering at DUTH, alongside diverse work experiences, she developed a deep understanding of complex systems and the necessity of collaboration in tackling environmental challenges.
It was during this journey that Evgenia discovered her passion for science communication, designing activities that spark dialogue and founded DISSCO.
Evgenia’s vision involves citizen science emerging as the new standard for research.
Panos Petridis
An interdisciplinary researcher, and project manager, working at the interface between science, society and the environment. He holds a PhD in Social Ecology, and his work at BOKU University in Vienna focused on island studies, participatory and transdisciplinary research, and degrowth.
As a project manager he has partnered with numerous international partners and consortia, working together to promote diverse aspects of environmental and social sustainability.
He is a fellow at P2P Lab, a research collective focused on the commons. He shares the view that science should be open and accessible to all.
We strive to democratize science though designing playful and engaging communication strategies and public engagement activities:
Design
DISSCO specializes in creating playful science communication concepts and customized strategies for research projects and institutions. We manage the entire implementation process, ensuring a seamless delivery of outputs and materials.
Engage
In DISSCO we always strive to make science more participatory and thus help achieve a greater societal impact. We promote science democratization through designing and implementing public engagement and outreach activities.
Empower
DISSCO offers capacity building workshops for researchers, as well as engaged people, in order to empower and assist them in communicating scientific results more effectively.
PROJECTS
Our aim is to increase the relevance and outreach of research, using storytelling formats, citizen science and capacity building workshops:
Storytelling
We often use a variety of storytelling formats in order to help popularize scientific findings, facilitate the effective communication of results, and ‘get the message across’ in playful ways.
Citizen Science
We employ citizen science methods, in order to improve the outcome and widen the scope of scientific research, but also to achieve a better dissemination of results and help people to engage with and gain ownership of the research process.
Capacity Building
We assist scientists to achieve greater impact for their research by identifying the right communication strategies through capacity building workshops, and empower people by engaging them with relevant scientific concepts.
Portfolio
EIT Food Journalism Awards
Celebrating journalism in sustainable agrifood innovation and communication.
Water Scarcity Podcasts
Creating audio stories about water scarcity
Pollen Watch
A citizen science journey through climate, health, and collective action.
Citizen Science Safari
A workshop to design your Citizen Science project
Stand Up Comedy Academy
A stand-up comedy academy to raise awareness about climate change
Musical Chairs as a Commons
A workshop to playfully familiarize with the concepts of the commons and of scarcity
Energy Lab community
An innovation ecosystem to boost the energy transition through joint innovations
Craft your Scientific Message
Learn to engage your audience and explain your research in a understandable way
Hydrousa
Tackling the Water-Food-Energy nexus
Οur three Programs
Our three Programmes connect science, society, and creativity—through humor, storytelling, and participation—to inspire action and engage communities.
Email us to book a free science communication session.
Playful & Participatory Science
We design workshops and tools that make science fun, inclusive, and community-driven. From co-creating research with your audience to playful engagement activities like the “Citizen Science Safari” or “Musical Chairs in Reverse,” we help you connect with diverse groups and manage shared challenges creatively. Ideal for educators, researchers, and community organizers.
Audio Stories / Podcasts
We turn complex topics into engaging audio stories. Through stakeholder interviews, we craft narratives that are published on Spotify, SoundCloud, and other platforms. Our team handles research, recording, and editing, plus a tailored communication plan for each episode. See our water-scarcity storytelling project for an example of how sound can amplify social and environmental impact.
Stand-Up Comedy Academy
Our Stand-Up Comedy Academy merges humor with serious topics—from climate change to social justice. Participants receive training from comedians and experts, co-create 3-minute scripts, and perform live. The method engages people who care about the theme, turning awareness into action through laughter. Inspired by “Stand Up! for Climate Action,” the academy fosters fresh voices and bold perspectives on critical issues—on stage, with a mic, and a mission.
Testimonials
Our Partners
We are fortunate to have collaborated with and received funding from a diverse range of partners who share our vision and support our mission. Email us to schedule a science communication brainstorming session and expand your project’s impact.
News
Exploring the Future of Design Education and Sustainability
Design has traditionally focused on humans as consumers, sometimes unintentionally promoting unsustainable habits and products. As we look toward a circular economy shaped by...
EIT Food Journalism Award Launches in Greece
The first edition of the EIT Food Journalism Award in Greece is now open. This initiative celebrates outstanding journalism in agrifood innovation and sustainability. With the...
GUIDANCE MANUAL ON SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT GOOD PRACTICES ON AEGEAN ISLANDS,
Our stories are featured in the Guidance Manual on Sustainable Water Management Good Practices in Aegean Islandscreated in the framework of the project “Water Matters –...
WATER MATTERS: INCREASING KNOWLEDGE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOOD STATUS OF WATER BODIES, ANAVYSSOS
During the presentation of the results of the program “Water matters: Increasing Knowledge on the Importance of Good Status of Water Bodies” implemented by the Institute of...
LIVE PERFORMANCE AT OPEN HUB DAY
We performed live at Open Hub Day in a session led by Katarina Hagstedt from Tinka Media. The session focused on how change-makers use their voice and storytelling to enhance...
COMMONING: WHERE WATER MEETS LAND, PRESPA, GREECE
As part of the international Walking Arts Conference/Encounters event that takes place every two years in the Prespa lake region of northern Greece, Lydia Matthews...
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Evgenia Tsianou / DISSCO
Make science more participatory!
