Professional/Short course Science Communication Building Blocks
Page last updated 1 December 2023
Introduction
Designed by the team behind the Science Communication Unit (SCU), UWE Bristol's renowned Science Communication programmes, Science Communication Building Blocks, offers a unique opportunity to bring cutting-edge expertise to your staff, students and teams.
Whether it's running engaging events that showcase research, working with schools, writing about science for the public or promoting research through social media, there's a training course that will provide the skills required. We aim for those who attend our courses to leave us with creative science communication ideas and the confidence required to take the next steps. We have courses suitable for those new to science communication as well as those looking to develop their skills further and learn new ideas from the contemporary field.
Pick from a wide-selection of three hour sessions covering relevant topics for contemporary science communication and public engagement. Create your own bespoke programme, or select from a series of perfect pairings designed to fit into one day of training.
Browse through our Science Communication Building Blocks programme (PDF) to find out more about the sessions we offer.
Meet the trainers:
Science Communication Building Blocks are delivered by a team of experienced trainers who teach on undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional training courses at UWE Bristol.
Senior Lecturer in Science Communication in the Science Communication Unit (SCU).
Andrew is a Lecturer in Science Communication. He is an award-winning podcast host, radio presenter and producer/director of films and live events, Andrew has worked with BBC Worldwide, The Natural History Museum, Physics World, Diamond Light Source and produced shows for arenas, concert halls, theatres and festivals internationally.
David is a Lecturer in the SCU. His research focuses around the ways in which science is produced, communicated and understood in sites of informal science learning such as museums, galleries and science centres.
Senior Lecturer in Science Communication in the SCU working on media representations of science, with a background in science reporting and editing.
Margarida is a Senior Research Fellow in the Science Communication Unit. Margarida develops engagement and communication projects while working in collaborative projects with academic and research staff in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment at UWE Bristol.
Amanda is a Senior Lecturer in the SCU. She is an anthropologist whose research is at the interface of people and nature; exploring and understanding people's perceptions and values to engage with them effectively around biodiversity conservation and the environment.
Professor at UWE Bristol and Co-Director of the SCU, working in science journalism, public relations and Sci-Art.
Professor and Co-Director of the SCU, working in public engagement and evaluation.
Please note: The specific trainer for your Building Block session will be determined by staff availability but will be confirmed in advance of the session/s.
Entry requirements
Participants will need to be comfortable reading, listening and writing in English.
Structure
Content
We offer three levels of content:
- Introductory: No prior experience of science communication.
- Intermediate: Some previous experience of science communication.
- Advanced: Previous experience of science communication and actively working in the field.
Available sessions (all are three hours in duration):
1.1 Getting started in science communication
A brief introduction to science communication and key reasons why it might be important to your role.
2.1 Working with schools
How to get schools interested, what teachers need to know and how to increase the impact of your activity by reflecting your audience.
2.2 Science communication: A potted history
An interactive session that explores how the field of science communication has developed and examines some of its key drivers that shape what we do today.
2.3 Telling your story
What makes a good story? How do you present that in person or on film? And what will make it appealing to traditional or social media.
2.4 Inclusion in Science Communication
This session looks at identifying 'underserved' participants, key concepts in inclusion and building strategies for engaging underserved people.
2.5 Science writing for researchers
Key techniques in science writing enabling you to write effective blogs, stories for the media and other forms of writing.
2.6 Introduction to Research Methods
Science communicators often need to carry out research and this course will introduce you to the basic principles of setting up and managing a project, alongside introducing several key social research methods.
3.1 Quality in Science Communication
In this session, you will explore why quality is an important concept in science communication and then consider different ways we can think about quality and who might be responsible for ensuring quality in science communication, particularly in digital spaces.
4.1 Developing creative science communication projects
This session focuses on the start-up and ideas generation phases of project development.
4.2 Boost your science writing skills
Exploring how to write lively, engaging stories that are targeted well at their audience.
4.3 Getting to know on and offline audiences - insights for science communication
This session explores how audiences evaluate and interpret information about science on and offline using insights from audience research to inform the targeting of communication activities.
5.1 Developing creative evaluation techniques
An introduction to best practice in evaluating science communication and public engagement projects with an emphasis on evaluations which are creative, innovative and appealing for participants.
5.2 Science Podcasting
If you are thinking of starting a podcast, this is for you. If you already have some experience of science podcasting and want to develop your skills further, then this course will help you hone your abilities. The session explores how to create engaging podcasts and developing your audience.
Features
Perfect pairings and example programmes.
Looking for a one-day training event for your team? Why not pair:
- Developing creative science communication projects + Creative evaluation techniques
- Using social media to communicate science + Science writing for researchers… plus many more combinations.
Looking for a two-day training event for science centre staff? Why not include:
- Developing creative science communication projects
- Telling your story
- Inclusion in science communication
- Creative evaluation.
Looking for a two-day training event for university researchers? Why not include:
- Developing creative science communication projects
- Telling your story
- Inclusion in science communication
- Creative evaluation.
Prices and dates
Supplementary fee information
Fees are to be paid via invoice. Find out more about the Science Communication Building Blocks costs (PDF).
How to apply
How to apply
Our team of trainers can be very busy. When enquiring about potential building blocks training session/s, please indicate the following:
- if you have a preferred date/time of year for delivery
- an approximate number of participants
- the sessions you would like included
- if you are looking for online or in-person delivery.
In order to apply for any of these training sessions and for a quotation, please complete the online booking form.
For any additional queries, please email science.communication@uwe.ac.uk
Extra information
If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.
For further information
- Email: science.communication@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83919
You can also follow us on Twitter @SciCommsUWE.