Interested in other science communication activities?

The NESTA FameLab Finalists are not the only ones with communication talent – everyone that turns up at the auditions has the skills and pro-active attitude to make science communication happen. Here are some ideas that may help you to get more involved in communicating science.

Festivals

Festivals are a great way to see the expert science communicators in action. The Cheltenham Science Festival is a prime example of this! The British Council has a list of science festivals that are happening around the country.

You can volunteer to help out and this is a great way of meeting the experts and getting an insight into the science communication world. Get in touch with the festivals and offer your help. This can be a great experience, will add to your public engagement portfolio and offer plenty of networking opportunities.

FameLab in other Countries

In association with the British Council, FameLab is run in other countries around the world. If you live or work in these countries, you might be eligible to enter.

 

Organisations

The British Science Association

One of the first sites you should visit to find out information on what is happening in the science communication world, here you will find current events that are happening around the UK. For example:

  • The Science Communication Conference – 22-23 June 2009 Kings Place, Central London.

    The central theme to the 2009 conference is ‘Behaviour and Choice’. Working together with the Wellcome Trust the BA is organising a conference that addressed key issues facing science communicators in the UK. This is a fantastic opportunity to network and to share ideas and good practice.
  • Perspectives

    This is an opportunity for researchers at the beinning of their careers to develop their skill in discussing the social implications of their research. The 2009 application process is now open.

  • Media Fellowships

    3-8 week fellowships intended to create a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media among practicing scientists, social scientists, clinicians and engineers.

Sciencelive

Sciencelive is an online directory of speakers, presenters and workshops delivered by professional science and engineering communicators and committed enthusiasts. Sciencelive is designed to enable people to find a suitable speaker or presenter for their events, whether it’s for a school, university, community group, museum or society - making it easier to find and arrange visits from subject experts and engaging communicators. The aim of Sciencelive is to create the largest online resource of science and engineering communicators in the UK, suitable for a range of audiences, abilities, subject areas and geographical areas.

Research Councils UK

The UK’s seven research councils, which are the main public investors funding scientific research in the UK, all approach public engagement in various ways. Take a look through their websites to see what might interest you, often they have requests for help from research councils, they look for volunteers to assist at exhibitions and in schools, although they will often only use people already involved in the research they fund.

The research councils are:

Science in society

This unit runs across all the UK’s research councils. They focus on public engagement projects, outreach to young people and teachers, keeping people informed and updated, and training for researchers to work with the public. One of their current major projects is:

  • The Beacons of Public Engagement
    There are six Beacons around the UK and one national co-ordinating Centre which are University-based collaborative centres working with their partners across industry and community. The Beacons are designed to support, recognise, reward and build capacity for public engagement work across the UK. This initiative is to support a step-change in recognition for public engagement across the higher education sector.

BRITISH COUNCIL

The British Council is aimed at a global audience of science communicators, including science journalists, science museum and science centre staff, festival organisers and performers, and scientists who wish to develop their skills at communicating with a wider audience outside their direct scientific community.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY

In addition to promoting excellence in Science, the Royal Society runs media and communication courses for postdoctoral scientists, and runs a Science and Society Programme including regular seminars and the summer exhibition.

WELLCOME TRUST

The Wellcome Trust funds and runs a huge range of public activities for all age groups, including exhibitions, art works, debates and grant schemes for large and small projects.

Association for Science and Discovery Centres

Is a network of Science Centres and Museums. Ecsite represents over 50 science centres in the UK and a similar number of discovery centres in museums, botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos. There is a jobs bank listed on Ecsite which may help if you are looking for employment.

Science centres and museums are a fantastic place to get more experience in science communication. Many of them run ‘Meet a Scientist’ (http://www.ecsite-uk.net/projects/dialogue.html) sessions and are always looking for people who are enthusiastic to talk about science with the public.

ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH SCIENCE WRITERS (ABSW)

ABSW is a professional body to assist those who write about science and technology. The association runs regular briefings for members on professional development and annual awards for science writing and a bursary scheme.

SCENTA

Works with leaders in the science and technology (SET) community to provide a gateway to the best information and resources for those pursuing a career in SET. Scenta acts as a meeting point for people in SET, their peers and the information providers and professional organisations that they seek. They have a Role Models Project.

Schemes

RESEARCHERS IN RESIDENCE »

This project organises and supports placements for bioscience students in secondary schools, to spend time working with teachers and students. It is great for demonstrating and improving your communication skills!

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AMBASSADORS »

This scheme is run by the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET) and places scientists in schools to support teachers in delivering the curriculum and to inspire and enthuse young people about science and engineering.

DAILY TELEGRAPH YOUNG SCIENCE WRITERS AWARDS »

This award is aimed at students and those in their twenties. Prizes include holidays, money and a chance to see your article published in the Daily Telegraph. This is not currently running in 2009, but keep checking for updates.

NOISE »

New Outlooks In Science & Engineering, NOISE, is a UK-wide campaign funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Initated in 2000, it aims to raise awareness of science and engineering among young people.

PAWS »

PAWS is designed to encourage TV drama writers to use scientific and engineering themes. The PAWS Drama Fund offers scientific and engineering contracts, events and funding for writers and producers within the UK and organises events where scientists and engineers can introduce writers to their work.

SENSE ABOUT SCIENCE’S VOICE OF YOUNG SCIENCE PROGRAMME »

This programme works with young scientists, post-grads, post-docs or equivalent in their first job, who are passionate about science and want to communicate about science and their research to a wider audience.

SHAPE THE FUTURE »

This is a scheme run by the Royal Academy of Engineering to raise awareness of engineering and technology.

CAFÉ SCIENTIFIQUE »

In an informal café setting, interested public can engage in dialogue around a presentation given by a scientist. Visit a seminar yourself or assist in starting one up in your area.

NULL HYPOTHESIS »

For a bit of fun, the team at Null Hypothesis, the Journal of Unlikely Science, are always looking for new articles. They rely on your contributions to provide the freshest, funniest and sometimes downright strangest science articles on the web.

Courses

If you want to get some serious qualifications in science communication there are a range of courses available that can help you with the skills and the contacts that you’ll need.

UNVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND (UWE)

MSc Science Communication

UWE also has a Science Communication Unit which runs short courses.

IMPERIAL COLLEGE

MSc Science Communication
MSc Science Media Production

THE OPEN UNIVERSITY

MSc Science

QUEENS UNIVERSITY AT ARMAGH/DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY

MSc Science Communication

UNIVERSITY OF CARDIFF

MSc Science, Media and Communication

UNVERSITY OF GLASGOW

MSc/PGDip/PGCert in inter-Professional Science Education and Communication
The BA has a list of the courses that are run around the UK.

Mailing Lists and Forums

It is worth checking out the psci-com website. This site covers a wide range of science communication activities, and includes the psci-com email list. Sign up for science communication discussions, job adverts and other opportunities.

The British Interactive Group, BIG, has an email discussion group, which has job opportunites and plenty of lively debate about science communication. BIG also holds a meeting every July where science communicators get together to network and discuss best practice.

Being Proactive

If none of the above work for you, then start something up yourself. A great way to get into science communication is to develop a talk or show, and then offer to deliver it to anyone and everyone!

Schools, Youth Groups and even the Women’s Institute – they’re keen to find people to speak to them, and can provide fantastic experience in dealing with easy (and sometimes tough) audiences. This is how many people start off in science communication, and whilst some use this as an avenue into other jobs, others make a whole career out of freelance science communication!