There’s a bunch of activities I do in various organizations that I think are meaningful for the purpose of this (kinda professional) webpage. I’m not paid for any of this, but I really have fun doing these things. I guess I just love meeting great new people.
Let’s get into it
Member of the Swiss Young Academy
Some of you might be wondering what the Swiss Young Academy (SYA) is, at this point. Well, it is an organization that brings together people from inside and around academia (like me, or like researchers) to “carry out inter- and transdisciplinary projects and activities at the many intersections of science and society.” We’re part of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences (a+), and therefore we are an official organization of the Swiss Confederation. SYA’s activities are extremely diverse and it would be quite hard to describe them, but we can focus on the fact that it is a really cool network of ambitious, science-loving people. I will soon give you more updates on what I do there, so stay tuned! Hang on a sec
Vicepresident of Swiss Association of Science Journalism
I joined the Swiss Association of Science Journalism in 2019, and since 2025 I have been a member of the board. As such, I take part in the association’s steering meetings, help organize our seminars, and contribute to our Bulletin. The latter is a great new project from the association aimed at helping newcomers write their first science article for the general public with the support of an experienced journalist. There is only one rule: people can’t write about their own field of research. If this makes you curious and you would like to give it a try, just shoot me an email (simone.pengue[at]ecfrasi.ch). Everyone is welcome!
Jury Member of Prix Média
If you read my bio, you might remember that at some point I won the Prix Média Newcomer. After gaining some experience (and a lot of networking, ça va sans dire), I was asked to be part of the jury! I’m actually on the jury of the broader Prix Média of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences, which includes the Prix Média (the “main award”, dedicated to excellent science journalism), the Prix Multimedia, and the Prix Média Newcomer. It’s fun, I get access to fantastic content, and I’m also learning from the rest of the jury what the most valuable aspects of scientific content are. And then, of course, I try to bring what I learn back into my own work.