Türkçe
From BARÜ to Village Coffeehouses: A Science Outreach Campaign to Raise Awareness Against Floods and Drought
Bartın University (BARÜ) has launched a program aimed at increasing disaster awareness in 24 villages at risk of floods and drought. As part of this initiative, seminars are being held in village coffeehouses, bringing scientific knowledge directly to local communities.
Within the scope of the Science Communication Office project initiated under the leadership of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), BARÜ carried out its first field study in cooperation with the Bartın Governorship Special Provincial Administration and Bartın Municipality. The initial activities focused on visiting rural settlements with a history of disasters, aiming to strengthen the connection between science and society and to communicate academic work more effectively to the public.
As part of the project titled “Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change: Reducing Flood and Water Scarcity Risks in Bartın” (BİRUS), expert teams conducted seminars in village coffeehouses.
BARÜ Brings Knowledge to the Community
As part of the project, BARÜ academics and students first visited the villages of Kumluca Zafer, Arıt Aydınlar, and Ulus Kozanlı in Bartın, engaging directly with residents. During the meetings held in village coffeehouses, comprehensive information was provided on:
- Pre-flood preparedness
- Disaster response management
- Use of early warning systems
- Post-disaster recovery processes
Experts also emphasized the risks associated with sudden rainfall and climate change-induced disasters, warning that lack of awareness—especially in rural areas—can lead to serious consequences. In addition, measures such as rainwater harvesting were highlighted as important solutions in regions experiencing water scarcity.
Support from Village Heads: “We Are Becoming Stronger Through Science”
Village head Ziya Orhan stated that access to information has greatly improved, recalling the 2021 flood disaster that damaged bridges and roads:
“At that time, we didn’t know what to do. Now, our university’s academics are informing us. Knowledge is coming directly to us.”
Similarly, village head Bayram Altay noted:
“We were unprepared for the 2021 flood due to the intensity of rainfall. Academics from the university came together with us, provided briefings, and explained measures such as rainwater storage.”
Village head Oktay Karapınar emphasized increased awareness:
“Now we are conscious. We know how to act in different situations.”
Activities for All Age Groups
The events were not limited to adults; children were also included. Organized under the motto “Science for All Ages”, the program distributed storybooks on disaster awareness to children, along with informative materials for all participants.
Rector Uzun: “We Bring Science to the Field for Social Resilience”
Highlighting the importance of science communication in strengthening the relationship between universities and society, Rector Orhan Uzun stated:
“As a university, we recognize that science should not remain confined to classrooms or laboratories. We aim to make the knowledge we produce understandable and accessible to society. With this approach, we identified villages in Bartın that have previously experienced floods or water scarcity. Together with our academic staff, and with the support of local authorities, we have begun organizing seminars on multidimensional issues such as climate change. By bringing knowledge directly to people, we aim to enhance social resilience and further strengthen the bond between our university and the community.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the President of YÖK, Erol Özvar, and YÖK members for their support in promoting science communication initiatives.
The training programs, which will be conducted in 24 villages, are planned to be completed within May.
BARÜ Communication Coordination Office
Fotoğraflar
