Within the scope of our COST Action, an Influencer Award was granterd to one individual and one institution in recognition of their outstanding contributions to science communication and dissemination activities aligned with the objectives of the Action.
A total of 13 candidates were nominated for the award. The final recipients were selected through a structured evaluation and voting process ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and alignment with COST principles.
A Competitive and Transparent Selection Process
For the 2025 Influencer Award cycle, a total of 13 candidates were nominated. All applications were evaluated through a structured and transparent voting. The assessment criteria reflected the core values of the Action and included:
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Public reach and societal impact
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Educational value and clarity
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Innovation and creativity in communication
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Ethical leadership and inclusiveness
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Evidence of measurable and sustainable outcomes
Following this evaluation process, awards were granted in two categories: individual and institutional.
Award Recipients
Individual Influencer Award
The individual award was presented to Diana Nabunje Lubega (Uganda) for her leadership of the mPallCareinitiative. Through sustained digital engagement, academic dissemination, and community-centred advocacy, mPallCare has made a significant contribution to reshaping how palliative care is perceived, discussed, and understood—both locally and globally. Her work exemplifies how ethical, innovative, and inclusive communication can generate tangible educational and societal impact.
Institutional Influencer Award
The institutional award was granted to The Foundation for Palliative Care Education (PACED), an international charitable organisation established in the United Kingdom. PACED has become a trusted global voice in advancing palliative care education through cross-border collaboration, culturally grounded training programmes, innovative digital outreach, and strong advocacy efforts. Its work across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and the Baltic countries has contributed to repositioning palliative care as a fundamental human right rather than a luxury.
Beyond an Award: A Call to Inspire
The Influencer Award is more than a recognition mechanism; it is a call to action. By highlighting exemplary practices, CODE-YAA@PC-EDU aims to inspire researchers, educators, institutions, and communicators to actively engage with society, amplify evidence-based knowledge, and contribute to more equitable and compassionate palliative care education worldwide.
Through initiatives such as this award, the CODE-YAA@PC-EDU COST Action continues to demonstrate that effective science communication is a core driver of educational quality, policy impact, and societal change.
