Training Opportunities
There are lots of training opportunities that can help build public engagement skills. You may also find relevant training courses run by your own institution. Here is a selection of training courses that we know about. Do contact us if you have any recommendations or if you offer training that you would like us to feature on our site. The courses are grouped according to the subject areas.
General
AHRC - Collaborative Research Training - Student Led Initiative Awards
Up to £2,000 each. To support the establishment of innovative collaborative research training programmes, originated by and run for postgraduate doctoral students that have a subject - or discipline - specific focus. Specific research training allows institutions to offer such training to groups of students where it is not possible or cost-effective to provide the training in just one department or institution. No deadline
NESTA Fame Lab - Presentation Skills, Mini Masterclass
NESTA Famelab is a national competition to find exciting and engaging science communicators who could become tomorrow's science media stars. Competition entrants provide a 3-minute original presentation that is scientifically accurate but also engaging to a non-scientific audience. No previous presenting experience is necessary, NESTA FameLab is designed to give everyone a go. Participation in the regional heats will give you helpful, positive feedback from the judges for your presentation and top presenting tips in the mini masterclass. The grand finals take place at the Cheltenham Festival of Science. The prize is a masterclass in science communication, the chance to appear on Channel 4 and a cash prize of £2,000. Famelab is over for 2009, but we will advertise Famelab 2010 in our e-newsletter.
EPSRC Public Communication Training
EPSRC grant applicants can apply for Public Communication training as part of their funding proposal. This can be used by principle investigators, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students for specialist training to acquire the skills for addressing public audiences. A range of training courses are available, usually lasting a full day and covering topics such as presenting to the public, writing press releases, giving interviews and appreciating the constraints of various media formats. The EPSRC publish a list of recommended Training Providers.
Media
This hands-on, one day course for scientists focuses on the skills needed to communicate successfully with the media. Tutored by leading journalists and science communication professionals, the course is open to all research scientists resident in the UK, including those placed in industry. Courses are run six times a year - spaces still available for 5 May and 16 June 2010. The cost of each course is £400, subsidised through the Royal Society. This is fully subsidised for Royal Society funded research fellows and professors. Bursaries may also be available for those funded by other funding councils.
Run by leading journalists, these hands-on, two day courses look at how the media works, how to write effectively, how to do media interviews and how to engage in dialogue with the public. Courses are free, including overnight accommodation, to NERC students and grant holders and are held six times a year in NERC's Swindon offices.
Voice of Young Science (VoYS) Media Workshops
These popular full day events are free and open to early career researchers in all sciences, engineering and medicine (phD students, post-docs or equivalent in first job) who are passionate about science and want to communicate science to a wider audience. They combine discussion about science-related controversies in media reporting with practical guidance to help younger scientists make a greater contribution to public debates. Areas covered in the workshop include: science in the media; what journalists are looking for, and taking a realistic approach to science reporting. The next workshop, "Standing Up For Science", is on 6th November at the Royal Society of Edinburgh with a closing date for applications of 23 October 2009. Limited places.
Practising radio and print journalists introduce scientists to the workings of the media. Scientists can learn how to use the media machine in promoting their science. There is a strong practical element, enabling participants to hone their writing skills and experience the thrills of a radio interview without the worries of a real broadcast. Places are free to BBSRC-support PhD students as well as BBSRC-funded principal investigators and research project leaders at HEIs that receive a competitive strategic grant from BBSRC. Spaces are still available for courses on 4 November and 18 November 2009.
British Science Association - Media Fellowships
Fellowships are offered to practising scientists, social scientists, clinicians and engineers and provide placements working with national press, broadcast or internet journalists with the aim of building understanding between science and society. During placements of between 3 to 8 weeks, fellows learn to work within the conditions and constraints of the media to produce accurate and well-informed pieces about developments in science. The draft schedule for the 2010 scheme (pdf 102KB) is now available but *dates may be subject to change - application period 4 Jan - 2 March 2010*.
Evaluating Public Engagement
Evaluating Public Engagement - an Involve/TCI course
This 1-day course has been specially designed to look at the growing need for evaluation, and equip staff to apply best practice principles. Delivered by authoritative specialists in consultation and other forms of public engagement, this course makes extensive use of case studies from a wide range of environments and will enable participants to develop evaluations that are appropriate for their own organisations. Attendance at this course gives 30 credits towards the Certificate of Professional Development. Courses run throughout the year at various venues around the UK. Next course: 10 November, Bedfordshire.
Public participation
Participation Cymru offer a range of one and two-day courses to help develop methods and skills in public engagement. The training can be tailored to meet your organisational and individual needs. The programme covers a wide variety of subjects ranging from public engagement basics, to specific methods of engagement (e.g. engaging with young people or hard to reach groups), to how to evaluate and use data. Courses run throughout the year at various venues throughout Wales.
Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) and EPSRC - Meet the Scientist
The "Meet the Scientist" initiative involves the science centre becoming a forum for researchers to engage in dialogue with the general public. EPSRC scientists and ASDC member institutions work together to develop scientists' skills and confidence in engaging the general public in dialogue and provide opportunities for groups of the general public to find out about the issues raised by EPSRC-supported research. The ASDC will work with you to develop a bespoke Meet the Scientist event - contact info@sciencecentres.org.uk to discuss your training needs.
Brunel University Centre for Citizen Participation (CCP)
Undertakes training in the field of of user involvement and public participation. This includes work in key areas of current government policy: social exclusion, community involvement and regeneration, political participation and representation the democratisation of public policy, agencies and services.
Communication
Royal Society, Communication skills
One day course equips scientists with the skills to communicate their work on a non-technical level to a wide range of audiences. Tutored by leading journalists and science communication professionals. Open to all research scientists resident in the UK, including those placed in industry. Courses are run six times a year. The cost of each course is £400, subsidised through the Royal Society. This is fully subsidised for Royal Society funded research fellows and professors. Bursaries may also be available see the website details.
A range of Public Communication Training Providers - Recommended courses by EPSRC
National short courses, covering presentation skills, media training, public speaking, business writing, journalistic skills etc.
UWE Science Communication Unit - Science Communication Master Class
Intensive five day course created to provide professional development in science communication. Topics fro the 2009 Masterclass are likely to include: The historical and social contexts of science communication; Ways of communicating Science; Engaging with the public; Relationships between science and the public. Course runs roughly every 8-12 months.
UWE Science Communication Unit - Bespoke short course in science communication
The Science Communication Unit is able to offer a suite of short training opportunities which meet knowledge, training and development needs of organisations, companies and learned institutions working in the field of science communication. Introductory sessions are provided and following on from that professional development sessions are provided.
Wellcome Trust - Narrative Skills Workshop
Narrative skills to help explain your science. Led by an ex-BBC executive producer, the skills and theory covered here will ensure that people will want to listen to you and your science. Free communication and engagement training is available for all Wellcome research grantholders and their group members.
British Science Association/RCUK Perspectives
A poster session with a difference - this scheme gives researchers training and experience in sharing their research with a non-specialist audience. Postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers who are funded by one of the UK Research Councils are eligible to apply. Finalists will present their posters and the British Science Festival, where prizes are awarded by a panel of expert judges. Occurs annually
Mentoring
EPSRC Public Engagement Mentoring
A mentor is assigned to holders of EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement Awards to offer guidance on the project's development and evaluation.
Royal Society - MP Scientist pairing scheme
MP-Scientist Pairing Scheme aims to build bridges between some of the best research workers in the country and members of the UK parliament. The scheme starts with 'Westminster week'; a programme of activities for the scientists including seminars, workshops, shadowing opportunities and a tour of Westminster. This 'week' aims to give the scientist a taste not only of the approach to science policy but of Parliament and the Civil Service in general. The 'week' takes place in October or November each year.
Outreach
Institute of Physics (IoP) Outreach Workshop - Doing Outreach
1 day beginner's course - The course is led by two experienced science communicators/trainers from The Training Group Consortium. The aims of the workshop are to prepare IoP members for participation in public outreach activities and to encourage members 'get out there' and talk to the public.
National African HIV Prevention Programme - Outreach training
Outreach Management Services specialises in providing solutions to charities, community and voluntary groups by equipping them with relevant skills.
Researchers in Residence facilitates a mutually beneficial relationship between researchers and secondary school students by placing researchers (PhD and post doctoral) in secondary schools across the UK. This scheme offers the opportunity to use your expertise as a researcher and develop your communication skills by going into a school or college and helping create quality experiences for the pupils. All RinRs are trained in how to communicate their research to non-specialists. Open to all researchers funded directly or indirectly by a research council or the Wellcome Trust.
Funded by the UK Higher Education Funding Councils, Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust. About our funders