Science communication & media skills training
The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with wider audiences is essential for today's scientist. Science regularly attains a high profile in the news, and there is an increasing demand for researchers to explain their work and how it affects society.
Most funding agencies now expect researchers to engage these wider audiences, whether through the media, public lectures or other forms of outreach. But many researchers feel inadequately equipped for this role, which involves different skills to communicating with specialist colleagues.
We provide science communication and media skills training, uniquely led by science journalists and communicators who also have experience as research-active scientists. Our courses meet a range of needs, from the student wanting to learn the basics of communicating with wider audiences to the researcher needing to deal with the media, undertake outreach activities or better understand the role of scientists in wider public dialogue.
We help scientists develop the skills to engage wider audiences, because scientists are the best advocates of their work.
News
7 May 2008
In accepting the new Chair in Science and Society at Imperial College, Professor Robert Winston has emphasised the need to equip researchers with the skills to communicate with non-specialist audiences about their work, saying: "It is vital for scientists to be able to talk about our research. We need to encourage students to recognise the importance of this and be able to talk about their work to make it relevant to as many people as possible."
1 May 2008
SciConnect Limited has a new home: Southampton Science Park. Our new address is SciConnect Limited, Southampton Science Park, 2 Venture Road, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7NP.
13 March 2008
Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) have published a report on "Public Attitudes to Science 2008", based on a survey of a cross-section of the UK population. Compared with similar surveys in 2000 and 2005, the new report suggests an increase in interest and support for science and engineering among the general public in recent years.
A majority of those polled also agreed that they would like scientists to spend more time discussing their work with the public and that scientists should be rewarded for such communication. But the report also highlights the need for training for scientists to communicate effectively with these wider audiences:
"The UK population believes that communication between those involved in science and the general public could be improved... the way science was communicated often made it inaccessible to the general public."
10 March 2008
SciConnect trainer Dr Jon Copley and SciConnect schools outreach consultant Joanna Copley have been interviewed about what switches young learners off science in schools, in an article produced by NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) as part of National Science Week.
16 January 2008
Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham MP has delivered a speech to the RSA stressing the need for scientists to engage with wider public audiences about their work:
"'Science and society' used to be an area which was seen as a niche part of science communication. Today, we have no choice but to see it as a necessary condition for British and global success."
08 November 2007
Science and Innovation Minister Ian Pearson MP has emphasised the value of researchers engaging wider audiences, welcoming the new RCUK Beacons for Public Engagement initiative:
"Public and societal engagement needs to become an integral part of researchers’ university experience. Bringing scientists and the public together is doubly beneficial. It helps ensure scientific work is relevant to society and that the public have trust in science. I want to see a culture shift to recognise the importance of this activity within a research context."
05 October 2007
"Soton staff get ready for their close-up": headline of front-page article in today's Times Higher Education Supplement, describing the media training programme that SciConnect Limited are delivering for the Faculty of Engineering, Science & Mathematics at the University of Southampton.
04 October 2007
SciConnect trainer Dr Jon Copley presented a first-hand account of the benefits of science communication and institutional barriers to public engagement, as an invited speaker at the annual Wellcome Trust / New Scientist media dinner.
10 September 2007
SciConnect trainer Dr Jon Copley delivered this year's Charles Lyell Award Lecture at the British Association Festival of Science. Further details are available here.
24 July 2007
SciConnect trainer Dr Jon Copley has received a University of Southampton Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award for educational excellence and innovative use of new media in teaching.
30 March 2007
SciConnect trainer Dr Claire Ainsworth has received a bursary, supported by The Office of Science and Innovation, to attend the annual British Association / Royal Society Science Communication Conference in London on 14-15 May. The conference covers hot topics in the field of science and how it is communicated; further details are available here.