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Science Communication Training
What we offer
At SciConnect, our vision is to equip as many scientists as possible with the skills to engage and inspire wider audiences
about their research. Our courses are created by award-winning science communicators who also have experience as
research-active scientists. This means we have an excellent perspective of the needs of course participants.
Our courses are designed to be both cost-effective and flexible. We offer a modular programme based on a “core”
workshop that covers the key principles of science communication. Clients can then choose from a range of “advanced”
workshops that build on this core to develop delegates’ skills in a range of contexts, from interacting with the media,
engaging policymakers, presenting compelling public talks or performing online outreach.
We bring in expert trainers to teach these advanced workshops, so that participants benefit from the best, most up-to-date
expertise in that field. This ensures that participants get the most out of the time they invest in attending the course. We have
an excellent track record of delivering courses at universities, institutes and companies across the UK and Europe for more
than a decade, and our courses are consistently rated as excellent by our clients.
The following pages outline our core and advanced workshops and list some of our trainer biographies. To find out how we
could design and deliver a course to meet your needs, please get in touch by emailing our managing director, Claire
Ainsworth, at [email protected], or by calling her on +44 (0) 2380 776065.
For more information, contact Claire Ainsworth: [email protected]
Science Communication Training
Course Outlines
Core workshop
Communicating your research to wider audiences
This course provides a hands-on introduction to the fundamental principles of communicating research to people who
do not share the delegate’s specialist background. It examines the role of scientists in communicating science and
what their motivations for doing so may be. It looks at the difference between "public understanding” and “public
engagement" and examines case studies of how this works and how it can go wrong.
The course is a mix of theory and practice, with an emphasis on hands-on exercises to develop participants’ skills. Over
the course of the day, participants create and refine a non-specialist summary of their work, with feedback from the trainer.
Other workshop exercises explore the fundamental differences between communicating with academic peers and with wider
non-specialist audiences, and the value of dialogue rather than one-way communication. Areas covered include:
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The difference between academic and non-specialist communication: how the mindsets behind each differ
How to structure your communication to make it accessible and engaging for non-specialists
Choosing your words: developing effective content without "dumbing down" or over-hyping; avoiding jargon
How to inspire an audience to take an interest in your work; how to grab and maintain their attention
The use of narrative in science communication
Best practice in science communication; communicating risk and uncertainty
Public engagement vs science communication: benefits and opportunities; case-studies
For more information, contact Claire Ainsworth: [email protected]
Science Communication Training
Advanced workshops
These workshops then build on the foundation provided by the core workshop, covering the requirements for science
communication and public engagement in specific contexts.
Science and the media
In this course, participants build on the knowledge developed in the core workshop to engage journalists from print and
broadcast media effectively. The workshop includes simulated radio and television interviews, and examines how to engage
documentary makers about research in addition to news media. Delegates will receive audio and video clips of their
interviews to keep after the course. Areas covered include:
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How news media work and how science hits the headlines
The role of science journalists and what scientists should expect from them
How researchers can reduce the risk of inaccurate reporting
The role of press officers; producing effective press releases
Requirements of different media: print, radio, television
Broadcast media interview simulations, playback and tutor feedback
Engaging documentary makers
Using "new media" in outreach and public engagement
The traditional media are no longer the gatekeepers of mass communication--scientists can now use the internet to engage
with audiences on their own terms. The recent revolution in "Web 2.0" tools that support dialogue with online audiences
allows scientists to engage very wide audiences about their work. At the heart of this workshop is a hands-on practical
session where participants prepare, present and produce their own short podcast. Areas covered include:
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Opportunities of "Web 2.0" for engaging wide public audiences
Writing a successful blog: content and interactivity
Micro-blogging and social networking: using web connectivity to promote audience engagement
Broadcasting yourself online: fundamental principles of audio and video content
Producing professional podcasts: from scripting and presentation to editing and publishing
For more information, contact Claire Ainsworth: [email protected]
Science Communication Training
Science in Policy and Society
This course explores the relationship between science, government and key stakeholders, including the public. It examines
the interactions between science and society, how government uses evidence to shape policy, and opportunities to engage
policymakers. By the end of the course participants will understand how policy is developed and delivered. They will know
when and how to best interact with policy processes and how to work with civil servants effectively. Exercises include a
simulated public consultation. Areas covered include:
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Science and government: when, where and how do they interact?
Science and current government priorities; how scientists can engage with policymakers
The process of policy making, including the role of ministers versus civil servants
Stakeholder engagement in the policy landscape, including public consultation: models and case studies
How policy is delivered, including partnership working
How scientists can work effectively with civil servants
Outreach to schools
This workshop prepares scientists to make the most of visits to schools and interactions with school groups. It includes a
classroom simulation exercise to explore barriers to engagement and strategies to overcome them. Areas covered include:
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Overview of science in schools: matching your content to the curriculum, working effectively with teachers
Why children get turned off science and how scientists can counteract this
Tailoring your communication to cater for children’s different learning styles: auditory, visual and kinaesthetic
Developing hands-on activities: examples and case studies
Barriers to engagement and strategies to overcome them
Safety and legal aspects: what do scientists visiting schools need to know?
Preparing and presenting compelling public talks
In this workshop, participants develop the plan for a public talk about their work, and practise delivery of talk sections, which
are videoed for analysis and feedback.
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Ingredients for a compelling public talk: structure, content, delivery
Using narrative structure to engage audiences
Tips and ideas for audience participation
Choosing words and images: developing content to inspire
Stand and deliver: physical techniques for generating impact
For more information, contact Claire Ainsworth: [email protected]
Science Communication Training
Bespoke courses
We can also put together courses to meet any specific training needs you may have: for example, how to write a good REF
impact case study or improve communication within your organisation. Please contact us for more details.
Principal trainers
Dr Claire Ainsworth
Claire is the managing director of SciConnect. She works as a freelance journalist and science writer. Until 2007, she was a
Senior Reporter & News Features Editor at the journal Nature. Prior to that she was a reporter and features editor at New
Scientist magazine. Claire won an Association of British Science Writers Award in 2004 and was print journalist of the year in
the 2001 British Medical Journalism Awards. Claire holds a doctorate in developmental genetics from Oxford University and
a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, UK.
Dr Jon Copley
Jon is a Lecturer in Marine Ecology at the University of Southampton, where he has received awards for undergraduate
teaching and postgraduate skills training. Jon is a highly experienced broadcast interviewee who has taken part in
documentaries featuring his research for the BBC, Discovery, and National Geographic. He frequently gives public lectures
about his team’s deep-sea discoveries, and he has received awards as a communicator including the Biosciences
Federation Science Communication Award and the British Science Association Charles Lyell Award. Jon was previously a
reporter and news editor at New Scientist, and he has written popular science articles for other magazines and newspapers.
Expert tutors
In addition to our principal trainers, we also engage other expert tutors from specific areas depending on the requirements of
clients. These specialists include other science journalists from broadcast media (e.g. BBC television and radio), print
(national newspapers), internet journalists, bloggers and school teachers. Please contact us for more information.
For more information, contact Claire Ainsworth: [email protected]