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Objectives

Overview:  Science is increasingly more present in our everyday decisions, with a fundamental role in global problems. Scientists, as the main actors in the production of scientific knowledge, have the responsibility of having an active voice in communicating this knowledge – and that can be achieved for example by a conscious use of the communication tools at their disposal and a better articulation with journalists, among other means.

Objectives: This course aims at: 1) exploring how scientists can use social media as tools to enhance the communication of their research and the dialogue with society, and 2) discussing the differences that exist in the work of scientists and journalists in terms of the methods and deadlines they meet and exploring how scientists and journalists can better articulate to reach a common goal – contribute to a more informed society.

This course can have recognition of 3 ECTs for FCUL PhD students enrolling in it as part of their first doctoral year.

Minimal formation of students: Bachelor degree in any scientific area (however a Master degree is strongly advisable).

General Plan

The course will be online

Schedule: September 7-10 (monday-thursday): 9h00-12h30; September 11 (friday): 9h00-13h00

General plan

Social media

How can social media be used in science communication, and how can researchers, if they wish so, use these tools to increase the visibility of their work and the exchange of ideas? We will explore how social networks allow us to increase the visibility of scientific research both among the scientific community – and if that is translated in an increased number of citations – and among different lay publics, using different approaches.

Scientists and Journalists

The work of scientists and journalists follows very different methods and deadlines, and there is sometimes some frustration among scientists about how their work is communicated on the media, with misunderstandings concerning deadlines, appropriate or sensationalist titles and the emphasis given (or not given) to the interpretation of scientific results. Comparing and understanding the differences in working methods and deadlines of journalists and scientists can help establish a better collaboration. How can scientists be available for dialogue with journalists – without overlapping with their work? What good practices can be adopted in the context of interview – both in TV and in written media?

Throughout these two major themes, we will explore techniques of written and oral (science) communication, in order to adapt the communication of scientific concepts to different audiences. The course will follow a theoretical-practical approach, with the practice of writing content for different social networks, interview simulation, among other exercises.

Funding

Students fees

Fee

Free for 1st year PhD students of FCUL enrolling in it as part of the curricular year or as part of the PhD Support programme; also free for 1st year PhD students in the Doctoral program Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution (UP) and Biology and Ecology of Global Changes (UA) when the course counts credits for their formation; in all these cases the delivery of a final report done after the course is mandatory; 15 € for other PhD students from cE3c, 30 € for PhD students from institutions of the PEERS network (CFE); 60 € for FCUL Master students, more advanced PhD FCUL students and unemployed; 80 € for BTI, BI and other PhD students; 115 € for Professional and postdocs.

Priority is given to non-paying 1st year PhD students mentioned above, being, by order of preference: 1) cE3c students; 2) BIODIV students (not from cE3c); 3) FCUL students (not from cE3c); 4) BEAG students (not from FCUL).

How to Apply

To apply send an e-mail to Marta Daniela Santos (mddsantos@fc.ul.pt) with a CV and a motivation letter. The cv and letter should be named as 1st-lastNAME-CV.pdf and 1st-lastNAME-ML.pdf (that is personalize the name of each file with your first and last name).

In the email please add the following information:

Full Name:________________________

E-mail:___________________________

Phone:___________________________

1st year PhD student of which programme (mark correct option in bold):

BIODIV (FCUL)

BIODIV (FCUP)

Another PhD programme at FCUL)  (which: ____________________________)

BEAG (Univ Aveiro)

The course counts credits for the 1st curricular year (CFA)? Mark the correct option in bold

Yes; No