The third year SoCoBio PhD students attended a two-day Science Communication Summer School at the University of Portsmouth on 15th and 16th of July 2024. The summer school was aimed to develop research communication skills particularly for disseminating science to stakeholders and the public, though non-expert channels. The students worked in small teams throughout different sessions conducted by media and public engagement experts from Portsmouth University and Deep South Media.
The sessions led by Deep South Media provided media interview training to PhD students with a realistic practice in handling interview scenarios. This included filmed interviews and feedback session, as well as classes by public relation professionals explaining the pros and cons of engaging with the popular media. The online media session by Glenn Harris and Chris Pattison covered the topic on how to successfully disseminate student research outcomes using a range of platforms and social media, as well as assessing its reach and impact.
The sessions led by Gen Gupta provided a training in Public Engagement aspects and how to ensure that student research is accessible to various stake holders and non-expert audience, including policymakers, funding bodies, the media and members of the public. Following that there was a research stories session led by Vincent Adams, in which students explored the narrative structures of research and how to create stories that could engage with the audience through a blend of fact and fiction.
Both days of the Science Communication summer school was fully packed with lots of interactive sessions and activities, followed by evening social events. Students thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, games and the social activities arranged on both days at the Still & West and Guildhall village Pubs. It was all reflected from the student feedback.
“This was my favourite summer school. I learnt a lot, was exposed to things I had not considered previously and was inspired to engage with the public more.”
Bree, 2024
“This summer school was quite interactive and I found the sessions very interesting. It was also a good way of introducing other career paths other than academia or industry.”
Henry, 2024
