Science Communication and Public Engagement

Aims

By the end of this course, you will be familiar with the essential tools of science communication and know how to apply them effectively. You’ll be better prepared to handle a variety of situations, such as interacting with the media, choosing the right social media platform for specific audiences, writing accessible articles for the general public, and explaining scientific concepts in an easily understandable way. You will also understand your role as a scientist in contributing to broader societal dialogue.

Content

Engaging with a broad audience has become an essential part of a researcher's work today. However, with limited time and so many opportunities available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This course is designed to help you select the most suitable combination of channels, methods, and platforms to align with your personal goals, target audiences, and priorities. The course will blend lectures, hands-on activities, and discussions to cover the following topics:

• Navigating the intersection of politics, society, media, and science: Why science communication is both critical and challenging.
• Social media and science outreach: Opportunities and risks (including practical exercises).
• Working with the media and journalists: Knowing your stakeholders and leveraging collaboration with them (this part includes practical work on writing for popular media).
• Public speaking and science communication at events and workshops (with practical sessions).

Methods

The course will feature a combination of lectures, hands-on exercises (individual work), and small group discussions. Prior to the course, participants will complete a preparatory assignment to deepen their engagement with the subject.

Target Group

All Doctoral Candidates & Postdocs

About the Trainer

Sabine Gysi is a communications expert with over two decades of experience in analysis, strategy and implementation. She has a broad range of expertise from science communication to digital strategies; from leading workshops and moderating panel discussions to program design and development. She has gained her experience through her engagement with public organizations, various private sector companies, agencies and NPOs. Over the last 8 years, Sabine Gysi has increasingly specialized in science communication. As an independent consultant, she now works with various institutes and organizations. She is also the founder, host and executive producer of the podcast SciComm Palaver. As a member of the advisory board of the think tank Reatch, she is committed to a science-friendly culture in which science and society pull together. www.sabinegysi.ch

Workload

Total of 9-10h (course attendance 8h, preparation 1-2h)

Feature

Once registration is open, applications will be collected for 24 hours and course places allocated by lot. All registrations received after the initial 24h period will be put on a waiting list and assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Course places/places on the waiting list will be confirmed by e-mail. Course registrations can only be canceled before the registration period ends (send an e-mail to grace@unibas.ch). Full course attendance is mandatory. Participants who fail to attend a course without prior notification or withdraw after the registration deadline are subject to a fee of CHF 30. In addition, participants who cancel their course registration at a later point in time, are absent without an excuse or do not attend the entire course will, for reasons of fairness, not be considered for course registration in the following semester and will be removed from other courses offered in the same semester. Please find the detailed regulations on the Transferable Skills Homepage.