Professional/Short course Science Communication: Masterclass

Entry year
2025/26
Course code
Z51000095
Application
University
Level
Professional/Short Course
School
School of Applied Sciences
Campus
We The Curious
Duration
Four days
Delivery
Face-to-face
Course Director
Andy Ridgway

Introduction

About the masterclass

UWE Bristol's Science Communication (SCU) Masterclass is an intensive, short course (four days) created to provide professional development in science communication. The masterclass draws on the existing expertise of the team that delivers the University's popular and practical MSc in Science Communication.

The Science Communication Masterclass runs roughly once a year. If you would like to be kept informed of future opportunities, please register your interest by sending a short e-mail mentioning the Masterclass to science.communication@uwe.ac.uk.

Who can apply?

The Masterclass has been designed for those with little or no experience in the field of science communication and would be suitable for practising scientists wishing to enhance the public engagement element of their research, science graduates interested in science communication or those seeking a career change, scientists/teachers of science seeking continuing professional development and people working in Research Councils with a communication element to their role.

Student quotes:

“Thank you for such an amazing time at the science communication course last week. I had such a brilliant time and met a lot of really great people. It was informative and interactive, and honestly for the first time ever I came away from professional development thinking that what I achieved and what you marketed were one and the same - the course certainly did what it said on the tin!”

Entry requirements

The course is aimed at people new to science communication as well as those with some experience. Participants will need to be comfortable reading, listening and writing in English.

Structure

Content

Topics for the masterclasses typically include:

  • Evaluating projects
  • Historical and social contexts of science communication
  • Honing your science writing
  • Producing, recording and releasing podcasts
  • Quality and science communication
  • Science communication in the flesh
  • Sensemaking about science: research insights for science communication practice
  • Social media and visual media for science communication

Further information on these topics can be found in the course programme. View our Science Communication: Masterclass sample programme (PDF).

Please note that the sessions outlined above are illustrative and may be subject to change if a session host is unavailable.

Features

Study facilities

The course will be held at the We The Curious science centre in central Bristol.

The College of Health, Science and Society has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and the facilities it provides.

Prices and dates

Supplementary fee information

The standard course fee is £800.

A concessionary rate of £640 is applicable for students, the unemployed or those whose salary is less than £15,000 per annum. We also offer a 10% discount to BIG members and FameLab competitors who reach the regional final stage. To qualify for the concessionary rate, you must provide some evidence of your eligibility for the reduced rate.

Unfortunately, there are no further concessions available (eg to charities or small businesses).

Cancellation policy

In the event that you are unable to attend the Masterclass, please notify science.communication@uwe.ac.uk as soon as possible. In the case that it is not possible to identify a replacement, there will be associated fee penalties:

  • withdrawal over two weeks in advance - no penalty
  • between one and two weeks in advance - 50% of total fee
  • less than one week in advance - no reimbursement of fee.

Please note: Workshops may be cancelled if required delegate numbers are not met. In the unlikely event that this occurs, full fees will be refunded.

Dates

11 to 14 November 2024.

How to apply

Applications for the Masterclass taking place from 11 to 14 November 2024 have now closed.

Applications will be reviewed within two weeks of submission and you will be informed via email whether you have been allocated a place on the course. At this point, you will need to pay the associated fees (until the fees are paid, your registration is not confirmed).

Please note: Only registrations for a named individual will be accepted, ie. it is not appropriate to book a generic place on behalf of an institution, and decide at a later date which member of staff will be allocated to attend. This is because, in our experience, the eligibility criteria and session preferences relate to the individual, and not the institution.

If you are unable to attend the next masterclass and would like to be kept informed of future opportunities, please register your interest by emailing 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