The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), a body under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, has granted the Communication Unit of the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute the recognition as a Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+I).

Scientific Culture and Innovation Units (UCC+I) are key players in the communication, dissemination, and public engagement of science, technology, and innovation in Spain. They are one of the fundamental pillars supporting the scientific education of society, which is essential to foster critical thinking, informed decision-making, and commitment to the challenges we face individually and as a community.

Thanks to this accreditation, the IJC's Communication Unit becomes part of the UCC+I Network, which brings together 111 units from research centres and universities throughout Spain. The aim of this network is to promote synergies between entities, the exchange of experiences, the improvement of the quality of UCC+I services and the optimisation of resources.

As Helena Díaz, Head of Communication at the Josep Carreras Institute, points out: “This is a crucial step in consolidating the activities of the Institute’s Communication Unit, and a recognition of the team’s efforts in conveying the knowledge generated by the IJC’s research community.”

Since its creation in 2019, the Communication Unit of the Josep Carreras Institute has stood out for its commitment to bringing science closer to broad sectors of society. This dedication is reaffirmed by the launch of the InstiSCIENCE programme, aimed at fostering scientific vocations and supported by Barcelona City Council, as well as the project “A handful of Science”, which brings science to hospitalised children through collaboration with the “la Caixa” Foundation.

These initiatives reinforce the Josep Carreras Institute’s commitment to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), enabling a more open, inclusive, transparent, and collaborative approach to science.