Outreach & Effective Science Communication

As a researcher, being able to communicate with a wider audience and explain your findings can help you increase your visibility, find funding for your research, broaden your network, and have your findings implemented in society. When you communicate with the media and the general public, whether it is in an interview or writing for a website, you need to be concise, use well-chosen examples, start with the most important findings of your research and avoid jargon. Furthermore, it helps when you are able to show your enthusiasm for your work. During the course, participants will practice all these skills, helping them develop in their role as a pro-active communicator. Specifically, participants will learn to:
 

• Present their research engagingly and concisely for the general public;
• Talk about their research during a radio interview and deal with difficult questions;
• Make short, engaging videos about their research;
• Start thinking about their communication strategy

• General Information

Programme
Day 1:
Morning:

• General principles for science communication (including core message, enthusiasm, and using the golden circle)
• Pitching and presenting (theory and practice, getting feedback from other participants and the trainer)

Afternoon:

• Making a video about your research (including discussing the differences between the world of science and video making, how to use a storyboard, and practicing making parts of the video)
• Homework for next time: participants prepare and upload a first version of their video

Day 2:
Morning:

• Using images and metaphors to present your research
• Feedback on videos: what can we learn from the first version of the videos?
• Discussion on media: which media fits your themes and wishes? Participants start thinking about a media strategy.

Afternoon:

• Practicing a radio interview (with 2 trainers, in two groups so everybody practices): Including practicing your main message, dealing with difficult questions, framing, and using the judo technique.
• Homework for next time: prepare a 5-minute presentation with a prop, and make an improved version of your video.

Day 3:
Morning

• Using LinkedIn to put a spotlight on your research: what can you post about, what are strategies to make your posts engaging? How can you use video and images on LinkedIn? Including practicing writing and making posts
• Feedback on the video from trainer and other participants

Afternoon:

• Pitching and presenting:
• Warming up with some voice exercises
• Practicing final versions of presentations (without slides)

At the end of the training course, participants will have learnt:

• How to pitch convincingly
• How to use various engaging starts to grab the audience’s attention
• How to make a short video about their research
• How to deal with journalists and difficult questions
• How to develop their own media strategy.

Fee

Fee includes study and training material, coffee/tea and lunches.

Cancellation condition

You may cancel free of charge up to 1 month before the start of the course. After this date you will be charged the University fee. Unless:

• You can find someone to replace you in the course and supply the course coordinator with the name and contact information of your replacement.
  In this case you will only be charged a € 50,- cancellation fee.
• You (PhDs and postdocs of Wageningen University) have a valid reason to cancel (illness or death in the family 1st or 2nd degree).
  In this case you will be charged the reduced fee and your supervisor/PI must send a mail indicating the reason for cancellation.

Information

For more information please contact Juliane Teapal, juliane.teapal@wur.nl