About

The course is aimed at scientists who wish to develop their skills to communicate complex scientific ideas to a general audience.

There will be a strong emphasis on writing skills, but students will have the opportunity to use a variety of different media, such as video, podcasting, web technologies (including social media) and the development of interactive installations for a science festival.

A key part of the course will be the production of a portfolio of work to demonstrate the ability to communicate science coherently and compellingly to a range of readerships. Workshop exercises will be conducted in a replica newsroom and by experience of covering news events.

Throughout the course, there will be regular seminars and master-classes with professional communicators, such as film-makers, TV producers and scientist communicators with proven track records in this area.

The course will conclude with a piece of independent work, which will form the basis of a dissertation. This will include the possibility of undertaking the dissertation as part of a work-placement.

Students should be aware that the course does not teach journalism, although many of the skills the students will learn are similar to those that a journalist will possess.