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Research communication training & workshops
Online and face-to-face workshops for researchers and academics who want to share their work clearly and confidently with non-specialists
Do you want to share your research with non-specialists?
Do you want to learn how to improve the way you talk about your research to make it more accessible and relevant for non-expert audiences? Do you want to build practical research communication skills that you can start using immediately? Do you want to become better at communicating clearly, confidently and authentically with diverse groups?
Our research communication training programmes, courses, and workshops can help you reach your audience .
Why does research communication matter?
Make an impact outside the “ivory towers” – research has an important role in tackling some of the great challenges of our times, but it’s not helpful if your research is locked behind a paywall, or is presented in jargon that only fellow researchers can understand. If your research can help policy makers and the public make better decisions, or or spark meaningful debates and discussions, or encourage critical thinking, or simply share the wonder of the world around us, then it’s worth sharing.
Give your scientific career a boost – raise your academic profile and the visibility of your research, and you’ll have a better chance of becoming more connected to your research communities, and being seen by the organisations and research groups you want to be part of as you build your career.
Stand up for evidence-based research – use your understanding of the research process and your specialist area to debunk fake facts and use communication as a platform to show why critical thinking and robust research has a place in fostering an informed, fair, and sustainable world.
We can help you
We offer bite-sized learning sessions as well as longer workshops and courses to help researchers and academics build the skills they need to become clear, confident and authentic communicators.
Most of our training focuses on building practical skills for reaching non-specialists, but communication isn’t just about “doing”. It’s about the “people stuff”, too. That’s why we also offer interpersonal and intercultural skills training, which benefits researchers in every aspect of their careers.
How it works
Tell us what you need and we’ll tell you how we can help you. What’s on your mind?
Training formats
The world is changing. Attention spans are shorter. The demands on working and studying scientists to “get stuff done” are greater than ever before. And teams are distributed in many different locations. With that in mind, we provide training in different formats depending on your needs.
For groups
Webinars and online masterclasses
For talks, short training sessions, and facilitated “skill injection” experiences for your group, we offer interactive live-and-online sessions (using Zoom or similar platforms).
The “blended learning approach”
For longer programmes, we offer a blended learning approach that involves self-learning; individual assignments; group exercises; and engaging live-and-online sessions to tackle challenges, put skills into practice, and give and receive feedback.
Instead of exhausting participants with too much time in the group, we provide time and space for knowledge to sink in over multiple sessions. This approach caters to all learning styles – there is something for everyone! – and the “chunked” approach to learning makes it easy for participants to make time for the workshop in their busy schedules. New skills can be put to use in “real life” throughout the training, allowing participants to build confidence incrementally over a series of weeks or months.
Ask us about how this approach is great for team building and encouraging interdisciplinary working, too.
In-person intensives
For multi-day workshops, training programmes and learning events, we offer engaging and lively live-and-in-person experiences.
These are ideal for organisations and participants who can commit the time and budget to be present and engaged over several days—not always easy when people have submission deadlines, urgent meetings, or have to find time to work in the breaks.
To keep energy levels high, our intensive in-person programmes are carefully designed with the group in mind, combining practical small group and individual activities with need-to-know theory, and lots of time to learn new skills AND put them into practice in a safe space. Tangible outcomes are built into the programme design so that participants can put their new science communication toolkit to use immediately.
For individuals
Learn in your own time
Join one of our on-going online courses for a combination of always-available video learning and individual assignments. One-to-one coaching and individual feedback on assignments is optional.
Webinars and online masterclasses
Sign up for our short public training sessions and facilitated “skill injection” experiences. These learning opportunities are typically 1-4 hours in length and are delivered using an interactive live-and-online approach (using Zoom or similar platforms).
Public courses
We offer a handful of science communication programmes each year that individual students, researchers and scientists can join online from anywhere in the world.
Our live-and-online science communication training is delivered using a blended learning approach that involves self-learning; individual assignments; group exercises; and engaging live-and-online sessions to tackle challenges, put skills into practice, and give and receive feedback.
Instead of exhausting you with a full-day workshop, these courses are delivered over multiple short sessions, with time between each session for you to apply your knowledge, try out new things, and get ready for the next installment.
Bite-sized, need-to-know theory and loads of opportunities to put apply your newfound skills is the main focus of these programmes.
Lots to think about in changing times. Why not arrange a time to chat about pros and cons?
What learners say
This was a good refresher on best practice planning and design for posters. I particularly enjoyed the sessions on tools for choosing colour palettes, which I have since used in other communication materials, and the discussion about online and virtual conferences, which was an eye-opener for me during COVID. Thank you, Suzanne!
Loved this. So much information and still time for some good discussions with fellow students. I look forward to being able to use some of the ideas when I create my first poster.
I have just completed SciComm Success' Poster Design Workshop. It was full of interesting tips and tools, some of which I have already built into my poster planning. Although we had a big group and I expected a lecture/webinar format, Suzanne constantly invited us to provide feedback and our own experiences, and I enjoyed hearing what fellow biologists like and don't. I liked that the group was international and enjoyed the flexible and informal discussions - some via chat, some using whiteboards, some simple audio discussion. It felt as if we could all contribute, wherever we were. I would recommend this workshop for anyone new to creating posters for conferences. It would probably be a good refresher for poster presenters, too. Thank you, SEB, for the opportunity.
Working with us is as easy as 1,2,3…
We like to keep things simple. Here’s what to expect:
First, get in touch
Book a FREE exploration session to get started. You can tell us about what you want and need, we can brainstorm ideas, and together, we can explore the possibilities.
Second, get some ideas
Based on what you’ve told us, we will put together a proposal for you outlining our recommended approach to science communication training based on your input, along with the all-important outcomes, costs, and timescales.
Third, get started
Once you’re happy with what we’ve proposed, we’ll get to work on what needs to happen to make your science communication training a success.
Ready to build your science communication skills? We’d love to hear from you.
We believe that all good things start with a conversation.
Book a Zoom call with us (choose a date and time that’s right for you) or use the contact form to get in touch and tell us about what you need.
