SciComm Studio: a creative science communication programme
In SciComm Studio, we take researchers beyond the slide deck.
We start with the foundations of good science communication. Then we take a deep dive into several science communication formats. Participants choose one, and create their own piece of science communication as an assignment to apply learning and get input from trainers and peers.
Adaptable, practical, interactive. With skills that transfer.
Who it’s for
PhD candidates, researchers and research project teams who want to reach non-specialist audiences in new ways. It works well at doctoral retreats, summer and winter schools, fellowship launches, and project meetings.
It may also be of interest for science communication teams, and as an elective course for researchers interested in communicating research outside of academia as a possible career path.
How we plan it together
Every SciComm Studio starts with a conversation. We look at your group, your goals, the time available, and where the programme fits, whether that’s a retreat, a summer school, a project meeting, or a new course. Together, we agree what aspects of science communication to include, choose which creative communication formats participants will explore, their in-course assignment, and how polished the final pieces should be.
We can talk you through examples of recommended formats and we can “play” from there, tailoring or completely redesigning the programmes based on your needs.
How it works
Each SciComm Studio programme typically includes the following core components, however these may be longer or shorter, or shaped slightly differently, based on how we tailor the programme for you.
Learn: Participants learn the foundations of good, audience-centred science communication: how to plan it, how to execute it, and how to measure it.
Explore: Participants get exposure to three or more creative communication formats, such as podcasts, short video, infographics, comics or social media, through examples, guidelines, critiques, and time for light application and reflection.
Create: Each participant chooses one format and is given enough time to work independently (or in groups) to turn research into a piece of science communication.
Present and refine: Participants share their work with the group, including rationale for planning, execution and measurement, and receive feedback they can act on.
(Optional) Beyond the studio: Participants reflect on how learning can support current research roles, research adjacent roles, and roles outside of academia.
Format and logistics
-
Duration: typically 3-5 days, or longer for more polished results
-
Group size: 4–24 participants
-
Delivery: in person across Europe, or as blended learning
- Formats: chosen with you, based on your goals and your participants
Planning a retreat, offsite, or summer/winter school? Interested in bringing SciComm Studio to your groups?
Whether you have a clear brief or just a starting point, let’s talk.
We’d be happy to send you more information or a no-obligation proposal.
Use the form to tell us more about what you are thinking or what you need from us at this point, or book a discovery call and we can talk through your needs.
Why choose a SciComm Studio programme?
Sometimes, what people want from a science communication programme is to learn how to adapt how they already communicate and share messages with non-expert audiences. This means thinking critically about our key message and applying learning to a format that we already know, like presenting. And we offer this ability to adapt presentations for non-expert audiences in our SciComm Impact programme and in our Presenting Research to Non-Experts workshop.
However, science communication and public outreach are about more than presenting.
Science communication is about meeting the public and other non-expert audiences “where they’re at”, and reaching them through formats other than presentations. It means tapping into popular communication approaches that they understand: video, social media, stories, podcasts, comics, infographics, participatory workshops, serious games, and so much more. It also means thinking about how to plan, create, share, and measure these.
Our SciComm Studio programme is a flexible programme that we design with you. It builds adaptability in communicating with non-expert audiences, practical “creative communication” skills, and gives participants new inspiration for how to:
- communicate their own research (useful for dissemination, funding proposals, and public outreach), and
- communicate the research of fellow scientists, researchers and technical experts (useful for science communication teams and researchers seeking academic-adjacent career paths)
Want to learn more?
The two-day Science Studio programme that you designed for the doctoral fellowship launch was a complete success. The format was perfect and we and the evaluators were impressed with the creative science communication material that the students produced in such a short time. The student feedback has been very positive, and they appreciated the chance to learn three distinct approaches, and both apply them and receive immediate feedback.
—Antje Schmidt
Independent Higher Education Consultant
