There has never been a better time to sharpen your #scicomm skills:
Enrol now for this Stellenbosch University online course
The global coronavirus pandemic has put the public communication of science in the spotlight like never before. Around the world, research organisations, NGOs and individual scientists have come to realise the importance of effective and credible engagement with a wide range of public audiences.
The popular online science communication course at Stellenbosch University is designed to help researchers and communication professionals to get to grips with the principles and practice of effective science communication. Across all modules of the 2021 edition of this course, we will reflect on the effect of the global Covid-19 pandemic, and its implications for public science engagement, with a focus on what we have learned that we can use to improve future science communication activities.
The course will be presented by Dr Marina Joubert, a pioneer of science communication practice and research in South Africa.
Course overview and dates
This online course runs for six weeks, from 14 June to 30 July 2021, followed by a practical project that will conclude by end August 2021. Successful participation requires about 2–3 hours per week, as well as attendance of one 60-minute online discussion per week.
- 21 May 2021
Deadline for applications - 14 – 20 June 2021
Week 1 – Introduction to science communication - 21 – 27 June 2021
Week 2 – Science communication role players - 28 June – 4 July 2021
Week 3 – Science and the media - 5 – 11 July 2021
Week 4 – Creative approaches to sharing science - 12 – 18 July 2021
Week 5 – Science communication as a field of research - 19 – 25 July 2021
Week 6 – Practical skills for science communicators - 26 July – 31 August 2021
Practical science communication project
Feedback from participants in previous #scicomm online courses
2018
“I am so glad that I got this opportunity to do this course. I cannot speak highly enough about it. I welcome all that I have learnt during this course and can’t wait for the next one to take place in 2019, so that I can refer my colleagues to it.” – Michelle Binedell, knowledge manager, South African Sugarcane Research Institute
2019
This 2019 course was rated as highly relevant and interesting by 90% of its participants, while 95% said that the presenters were helpful and provided valuable input and advice. In their evaluation, participants also said the following:
- The course is exciting, relevant and highly informative.
- Overall, the course was a truly engaging and enlightening experience that I would highly recommend.
- More than ever, I now appreciate my role as a communicator and its value in society! Thank you.
- It has exposed me to an area of research that was new to me. I will highly recommend this course to my friends and other young scientists.
Illustration by Fern Darley Waddilove
Application
Complete the online application form to apply on or before 21 May 2021.
Applicants will be registered on a first-paid-first-served basis, limited to 60 participants per course.
Please email Rolene Langford if you need help with your application.
Cost
The cost to participate is ZAR 9 000 per person.
Certificate
All participants who successfully complete the course, will receive a certificate of competence from Stellenbosch University.
