Communication & Media Skills Workshop for Researchers

The communication and media skills workshop offered by Southern Science is based on international best practice in this field. It is developed to address the specific communication needs and challenges faced by scientists and engineers.

It is a highly practical and interactive workshop, but also provides an introduction to science communication history and theory. It involves two to three working journalists to present information about their specific media and how it operates, and to interview participants.

The workshop addresses print and broadcast media, as well as other communication channels, tactics and stakeholders. Each participant receives a reference workbook for future use. Each workshop is thoroughly evaluated.

The ideal number of participants for the workshop is between 10 and 12 people, with a maximum of 15 to ensure optimal feedback and participation. Participants can be young or established researchers from a mix of disciplines in the natural, health and social sciences or engineering domains.

Workshop objectives

• To engage researchers about the social responsibility of scientists
• To introduce delegates to the theory of science communication
• To understand the multi-faceted nature and process of science communication
• To improve participants' communication skills, particularly popular and news writing skills
• To understand the media and how it operates and develop a better understanding of the dynamics between scientists and journalists
• To develop skills, confidence and motivation in dealing with the media

Workshop preparation

Each workshop participant will be contacted in advance and asked to prepare a short statement about their research, written for a non-specialist audience. A detailed programme outline will be provided before the workshop.

Workshop evaluation

An evaluation sheet will be provided at the end of workshop and a report of delegates' feedback will be provided.

Workshop costs

Southern Science will coordinate and offer the workshop at a set fee of R15 000 plus VAT, inclusive of all workshop materials, irrespective of the number of participants (maximum 15).

Southern Science will provide

• All workshop materials and notes
• Participating journalists

The host must provide:

• Workshop delegates
• Venue, tea, coffee and light lunch
• Data projector and technical support for equipment

Workshop programme

The workshop is adapted according to the specific needs of the host institution, but a typical day would include the following sessions:

• Welcome, introduction, objectives of workshop
• Introduction to science communication: Why communicate about science: driving forces, accountability, engagement, public interest
• Science, message, media, audiences: Comparing and contrasting communication in the world of science vs public
• What makes good communication: News values, mass media realities, conflict between news values and public health goals
• Challenging partnerships: Scientist and journalists
• Science on television: What makes TV news stories work? Being interviewed for television; Discussion on sample interviews
• Science stories in print: Presentation and discussion about how print media operates and what major newspapers require to make a story work; scientific publishing vs mediaspeak; sources of science news
• Learn a new language: Writing in plain, compelling English about your research; Feedback on popular research statements (panel)
• Radio: The various formats of radio and what is required from radio to make a story work; Listening to interview samples
• Real interviews and feedback
• Controlling the media agenda; Dealing with more controversial/difficult interviews; What to do when the media comes unexpectedly to you (whole panel)
• Workshop evaluation