Science Communication and Public Engagement
Discover the importance of public engagement in science, and learn techniques to share and raise awareness of your research.
6,192 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Science Communication and Public Engagement
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Define your message and share your findings through social and traditional media
Please note this course runs without facilitation
Good science communication ensures the public engage with and understand relevant scientific research. On this course, you will learn how best to share your science findings with your intended audience.
You’ll explore how the relationship between society and science has evolved over time, and find out how traditional and social media can be used to share research. You’ll learn to identify your target audience and define your message to build a shareable story.
You’ll also discover guidelines for working with journalists, and how to host small events to share information with the public.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to science communication and public engagement
Welcome to the course
In this activity we introduce the people that collaborated to the creation of this course, our learning objectives and the course structure
Why science communication?
In this activity we briefly discuss some reasons why science communication is important, and we give a brief introduction of the relationship between science and society
Let's get started: goal and audience
In this activity we start discussing more practical aspects of science communication, starting with two crucial question: what is your goal? Who do you want to talk with?
Week 2
Finding your message and delivering it
Creating your message
In this activity we'll continue from where we left off last week: once the audience and goals are clear, we can start defining a message that it's relevant for them and aligned with your communication objectives
Delivering your message
Once your audience, goal and message - and maybe your story - are defined, it's time to move to the next topic: how can you deliver this message?
Week 3
Communicating through journalists and institutional initiatives
Journalism and science
In this week we'll discuss about the relationship between journalism and science, focusing on some tips on how to relate with them
Institutional aspects of science communication
In this activity we discuss aspects of science communication more linked with academia and institutional activities, such as roles of a scientific culture unit and the relationship between research institutions and stakeholders
Conclusion and goodbyes
With this activity we come to the conclusion of the course. After recapping the content of the last three weeks, we will ask for your opinion and leave you with a list of resources on science communication
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the relationship between science and society
- Design small-scale public science communication events
- Assess the role of traditional and social media in the communication of science
- Explore the relationship between journalism and science
- Discuss the roles of a scientific culture unit and the relationship between research institutions and stakeholders
- Develop how to improve your science communication activities by clearly identifying the target audiences, messages, and stories
Who is the course for?
The course is designed for scientists and researchers who wish to communicate the results and theory of their field(s) of study to the public.
This includes graduate and postgraduate students, academic staff of all career levels, and scientists not working in academia.
Who will you learn with?
I am a research fellow and lecturer at the University of Torino, Italy. My research activities include neuroimaging of eating disorders and neurostimulation with therapeutic and rehabilitative goals.
Associate Professor in General Psychology, Psychobiology and Psychometry and Coordinator
of the Research Group "Imaging and Cerebral Plasticity" at the University of Torino, Italy
Who developed the course?
EIT Food
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.
University of Turin
The University of Turin is one of the largest and most prestigious Italian universities, with about 70,000 students, 4,000 employees, and 1,800 research fellows, encompassing all academic sectors.
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) is a Life Sciences specialised academic institution.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $27.99 For the first two months. Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 18 Apr 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$27.99
For the first two months. Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 18 Apr 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
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- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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