WP7 Dissemination and vulgarisation

The aim of the project is to target different audiences with a view to valorising the digitised fossils. Press releases will be sent out when different parts of the project are completed. RBINS will work closely with the communication department and will send the press releases to the communication departments of ULB, RBINS and VUB who will then send the press releases to the relevant media.

Task 7.1 Dissemination to University students and scholars – TL: RBINS

The new tools developed in lhpFusionBox will be of significant interest to palaeoanthropologists as well as anatomists, medical students and students working on comparative morphology studies, measurements, musculoskeletal models and biomechanics. The new tools will be highlighted through a press release detailing the availability of the tools, which will be released with the assistance of the network of the RBINS communication department. RBINS will attend high level conferences such as the European Society of Human Evolution conference in Year 1 and 2 to give feedback on the development of the tools and the availability of the fossils. Results of the outcomes of the project will also be published in peer reviewed international journals.

Task 7.2 Dissemination to schools and museums on virtual casting – TL: RBINS

The availability of the fossils will be highlighted on the website and on the RBINS website. When the fossils are available for download on the site, media stations and schools and museums will be contacted to tell them of the project and the fact that rare and important fossils which are important pedagogical materials are available for free download. The education department at RBINS will be able to assist with the provision of a mailing list of both relevant schools and museums and the network of journalists from the communication department at the RBINS will be used. Whilst the target for this is schools and museums, anyone with an interest in human evolution will be able to download the fossils.

Task 7.3 Dissemination to electronic visitors – TL: RBINS

The creation of a website on Neandertals will enable more electronic visitors to view the digitised fossils. The more media coverage that is generated from the project, the more electronic visitors will visit the website. It is therefore important that media coverage is not done too early so that the fossils are complete.

Task 7.4 Dissemination to medical patients – TL: ULB

ULB and VUB are specialists in serious gaming. They are currently working on different projects in serious gaming and the avatar will be incorporated into their long standing projects.

Task 7.5 Dissemination via Sketchfab and the creation of a Blog – TL: ADIA

RBINS will work with the head of business development in Sketchfab to provide the maximum amount of exposure to the online community. There is a dedicated museums page with over 350 museums. The RBINS is already a part of this community and the homepage of RBINS will be updated to include much more information and provide a showcase for the digitised fossils. RBINS will also write a blogpost detailing the reconstructed skeleton and the progress of the project. This will be shared via Sketchfab through their website, newsletter and social channels.