The job of cultural and scientific mediation professionals 

The profession of mediator, animator, researcher, teacher, engineer, librarian, museographer… is constantly evolving. Characterized by an extreme diversity in the places and ways in which the profession is practiced, in the collective agreements to which it is attached, and in the names of the players involved, it is becoming very difficult to draw a coherent picture. The qualitative and quantitative studies carried out by the École de la Médiation aim to better define the contours of the profession.

Federating the players in cultural scientific mediation

The diversity of activities and tasks actually carried out by these players, and the skills involved, are still largely unknown.

The aim of the École de la Médiation is not only to raise awareness of the profession, but also to work with them on initiatives that will bring them together.

Creating a skills repository for the profession

A collective project was carried out with some fifteen experts and professionals in scientific and cultural mediation, from structures as diverse as science centers, popular education and environmental education associations, universities, Musée des Techniques and Muséum. The aim was to identify whether there were any “core” competencies required by professionals, regardless of where they worked. 

The challenges

Science mediators play a key role in ensuring that everyone has access to education in science and technology.

Giving people a taste for science, promoting access to science for all, deciphering a complex society… these are the challenges facing this profession, which the École de la Médiation aims to federate and gain recognition for.

Fields of expertise

Four main areas of mediator skills have emerged, and have been broken down into a tree-like system. They are considered an intrinsic part of the profession, and are therefore difficult to separate.

• Leading mediations
• Designing mediation
• Manage mediation projects
• Enhancing knowledge and practices

The work presented here is a first step, an essential one for the recognition and enhancement of the profession.