Public engagement training
Are you a NERC-funded student or do we fund your scientific research? If so, you are eligible for free training to develop your science communication and public engagement skills. This is a great way to learn how to promote your research findings and ideas to different audiences.
Engaging the public with your research
NERC runs approximately six of these courses a year at its office in Swindon. You learn, through hands-on sessions, how:
- the media works
- to write effectively
- to do confident radio interviews
- to design public engagement activities
Guest speakers
You will have the opportunity to meet a science journalist working for one of the UK's leading national newspapers, a public engagement specialist, and hear a researcher talk about their experiences of developing and delivering a public engagement activity. You will also benefit from the experience of a former BBC radio journalist to help you hone your interview skills.
Agenda
Details of what is covered on both days of the course are available in the document below.
Costs
All courses are free, including overnight accommodation and evening meal between days one and two. However, you are expected to arrange your own travel.
How to apply
Your research or studentship must be funded by NERC in order to be eligible for this course.
Due to the popularity of this course, we recommend that you register as early as possible.
The dates for 2013 are:
- 29-30 January
- 19-20 March
- 4-5 June
- 10-11 September
- 5-6 November
- 10-11 December
Please follow the link below to check current availability.
Complete the online registration for a place on a course.
Could all NERC staff please seek approval from their retained Learning & Development Manager before registering for this course.
If there are no spaces available, we can put you on a waiting list. Please email: swindonevents@nerc.ac.uk
In the meantime you could try a new online public engagement training pilot that has recently been launched by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement with the support of the National HE STEM Programme. This pilot course is now live and currently has 2 modules; Getting started with Public Engagement and Communication Skills.
And...
Please remember that grant-holders must inform the NERC Press Office of any planned or unplanned media activity surrounding the research that NERC is supporting. We are here to give you advice and support in achieving the best and most appropriate media coverage for your work.
See NERC's research grants handbook for further details on NERC policy for communicating your research.
For further information about the course, or to discuss your attendance please contact Jane Kendall.