I’m often asked about training, support and resources available for those undertaking and particularly starting out in public engagement and science communication. This is a list of what I know about, however things may have changed as I’ve been doing this a while; it’s by no means exhaustive and I’ll amend it as I find out more. Further information is available on New to Sci Comm but I’m not sure how regularly it’s updated. Inclusion here is not an endorsement in any way.
To me the skills, tools and techniques for public engagement and science communication are the same, so think literally and laterally when looking for training. For example, I found facilitation skills useful when encouraging pupils to engage in a session.
In some cases an organisation may offer several different support options, in which case I’ll describe the organisation once rather than bore you with repetition. The lists are roughly organised into national opportunities down to local opportunities. With the exception of the national organisations this list will reflect what’s available in my area, however it’s likely something similar exists in your locality but you might have to do a bit of digging.
Any organisation or individual worth their salt in public engagement or science communication will happily discuss, listen and signpost people. After all, once upon a time it was us asking the questions.
Organisations and networks
Professional bodies and Learned Societies
Different organisations have different levels of support for engagement and science communication. Please check with the professional body/learned society linked with your specialism for more information; what they do and how they do tends to depend on their size and the emphasis they place on engagement. Those that I know about that provide training are the Royal Society of Biology and the British Ecological Society, I don’t know if you need to be a member to participate. The Institute of Physics has a good practice guide for public engagement with physics. If your specialism is engagement itself look at NCCPE below.
BIG – the British Interactive Group
BIG is a not-for-profit skills sharing network for anyone involved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) communication; if you consider yourself a STEM communicator you can be a member. For me this has been the most supportive organisation I’ve been involved with, their annual conference the BIG Event held in July at a different location each year is always my most important learning experience each year (this is some of what I learned from the 2017 event). They also do the annual Little Event, a one-day session for those new to the sector. The strength of all their events is they’re put on by STEM communicators for STEM communicators.
NCCPE – National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
No, not a company that runs car parks: NCCPE inspires and supports universities to engage with the public. They have a useful definition of public engagement and discussion of whether it’s public or publics engagement. They have an annual conference Engage held in Bristol in December, the theme of which changes each year.
STEM Ambassador network
A network of volunteers encouraging and inspiring particularly young people in STEM. You need to attend an induction and undertake a DBS Check (which they pay for) but once registered provided you register an event before you deliver it you’re covered by insurance. This is a huge help, and I register my Meet the Beekeeper events; without this we would struggle to insure it and in return some science communication activities take place. The network is run by STEM Learning through local management organisations, in Wales it’s See Science (more on them below) who look after us very nicely.
BSA – British Science Association
At the time of writing the BSA has been restructuring their offering, I’ll update this section when I know more.
See Science
In Wales See Science specialises in schools and public engagement around the STEM subjects. They are happy to talk to STEM communicators and identify potential training and delivery opportunities, particularly with schools, and are a very nice group of people.
Science Cafe/Cafe Scientifique
They’re the same things, an informal gathering in a pub or cafe where researchers talk about their work and take questions. It’s a friendly setting if you’re practising or a good way to see how others present.
Local networks
Have a look for what’s available in your area. Some areas have local BSA volunteer networks, others have informal meetings of science communicators such as North East Pie Comm, Brum Sci Comm Social, Sci-Comm Burrito (Manchester) etc. Google will know more than me or you could ask on BIG-Chat.
Your organisation
If it’s a larger organisation the chances are someone has already tried to do something similar to what you’re thinking about doing, the trick is finding them. Start by asking someone who might know and work outwards from there.
If you’re a member of staff at Cardiff University have a look on the Intranet at Engagement at Cardiff and at the Yammer groups for Engagement at Cardiff; Events Network; and Research Impact at Cardiff. Another option is to speak to staff doing engagement as they will know who else is doing it.
Training and/or resources
MOOCs – Massive Open Online Courses
Platforms such as Future Learn could have useful courses, use their built-in search engines and think laterally. The World Federation of Science Journalists and edX also have courses.
BIG – the British Interactive Group
BIG run very useful Skills Days at various dates and locations throughout the UK. The BIG Event and Little Event are also useful (see above).
NCCPE – National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
NCCPE offer their own training, have a list of other providers, and a toolkit to get you started.
STEM Ambassador network
Prior to your registration they run an induction which includes some of the basics/logistics of face-to-face science communication and do training on unconscious bias. They have useful resources on a variety of engagement topics.
BSA – British Science Association
BSA coordinate the annual British Science Week which is an excellent opportunity to run activities with plenty of ideas on the website. They also have guides to running, publicising and funding an event.
University degree courses
Please search the internet for these.
UWE Science Communication Unit – University of the West of England
UWE provide professional and short courses alongside various postgraduate opportunities.
Science Made Simple
SMS offer a variety of training; if you want something and can’t spot it on their website give them a shout, they may have something suitable or be able to develop it.
Participation Cymru
Participation Cymru delivers a range of training around public engagement topics and can develop bespoke training. They tend to repeat their courses in different areas of Wales each year.
WCVA – Welsh Council for Voluntary Action
WCVA offer courses and training around issues affecting the third sector, working closely with Participation Cymru.
Talk Action
Talk Action runs training on a range of public engagement skills and knowledge.
Eventbrite – training
Sometimes training is advertised on Eventbrite. Again, think literally or laterally.
Eventbrite – events
Using the filters on Eventbrite you can look for science communication and public engagement events that are running in your area. Pop along and take a look at what’s going on but also analyse the event: look at the tools and techniques being used. You may be able to contact the organiser for a chat or possibly to help out.
Your organisation
See what your own organisation offers, they may do some of the basics like presentation skills. Think laterally too: I found a Writing for the Web course useful to inform my writing in other areas.
If you’re in Cardiff University look on the Intranet for Engagement at Cardiff; the Training and Development pages; and if you’re doing a PhD the Doctoral Academy. If you’re in the School of Engineering I may also be able to help.
Email discussion groups
BIG – the British Interactive Group
You don’t have to be a member of BIG to join their email chat system BIG-Chat. Useful for answering all sorts of STEM communication and engagement questions,
NCCPE – National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement
For those interested in public engagement by universities; information sharing and discussion.
Psci-Comm
A discussion forum for anything to do with science communication. Useful to find out about jobs, conferences and training.
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