Science and its related disciplines have a wide-ranging and profound impact upon individuals, businesses, communities and the natural world. Communicating science is now recognised as an important skill for many professionals working in scientific research and in technical industries. The scientific community has asserted its responsibility to communicate about research and development in an ethical, effective and engaging manner within the wider community.

This Postgraduate Certificate meets the needs of scientists who wish to communicate effectively with the wider public, and with other organisations within their community, such as funding bodies and policy committees.

Effective science communicators seek engaging, high quality and accessible methods for sparking interest, maximising impact, and reaching their intended audiences. They will draw on theories of communication and engagement, use innovative practical approaches, understand the needs of their audience, and be aware of the broader ethical and societal implications of the science.

Who is the course designed for?

The Postgraduate Certificate in Practical Science Communication is designed to support and develop the skills of scientists and other technical professionals who wish to communicate effectively with the wider public, as well as with other organisations within their community such as funders, learned societies, investors and businesses.

Aims of the programme

The programme aims to:

• provide students with theoretical, academic and practical tools to support the knowledge and understanding they will need to become an effective and engaging communicator. The programme will help students to enhance the ethical and critical awareness they will need to identify the importance, relevance, and risks of science communication from a professional perspective.
• enable students to make value-based judgements combining discipline-specific factors, academic theory, and practical considerations, to ensure they are well equipped to develop and deliver science communication that is culturally sensitive and appropriate to particular audiences
• develop individual science communicators’ ability to reflect critically on their own and others’ work, in the context of not only audience needs but also those of hosts, funders and local policy.

Teaching and learning

The course is delivered using a variety of learning styles, combining interactive face-to-face learning with online delivery. Seminars, practical demonstrations, workshops, problem-based learning and small group working will be delivered and facilitated by experts in the field of science-related communication and engagement. Learning on this programme is highly experiential, recognising both the practical nature and application of science communication, and that students learn from both what is taught and how it is being taught.