Strategies for citizen engagement in science communication 2023

Objectives

Engagement with science is usually presented as a dialogue or participation model in which scientists and non-scientists both benefit from listening to and learning from one another, generating mutual benefit. Citizen science is part of this larger process of engaging non-scientists in new forms of interaction with scientific research, challenging scientists and non-scientists whilst enlarging scientific knowledge and providing learning opportunities for all parties involved. These diverse interactions require innovative forms of multiway science communication.

This course aims to explore ways of communicating science to non-specialized audiences, such as policy makers, industry, general public (including students and teachers), through their engagement and participation in citizen science activities.

The course will particularly address co-creation as an effective tool to design, organise, implement and analyse the impact of public engagement in science activities. By the end of the course, students should be able to select and develop engaging initiatives to communicate scientific results and ideas.

Learning outcomes and competences:

At the end of the course, participants should be familiar with the challenges of science engagement at different levels:

• Reaching several audiences, particularly those who usually don’t interact with science;
• Develop an understanding of what can make written and visual communication more effective;
• Selection of the best tools and channels to improve communication and dissemination;
• Strategies to increase participation and facilitate engagement and dialogue with the audience.
• Strategies to further strengthen engagement in science to counter disinformation and to adapt to evolving threats and manipulations

Participants have to be present at 85% of the contact hours (this means that they can miss one half-day), and actively participate in all activities. 

This course can have recognition of 6 ECTs for FCUL PhD students enrolling in it as part of their first doctoral year. For FCUL PhD students only requiring 5 ECTs recognized in their specific PhD programs the last 3.5 hours of the course are not mandatory and the certificate will be on ‘Topics in Strategies for citizen engagement in science communication'. For FCUL PhD students requiring credits additionally to the exercises done during the week the delivery of a written report done after the course is mandatory. Students getting 6 ECTs have also to deliver a summary report. The reports must be delivered two weeks after the course. Such report(s) are also advised for other students requesting creditation of the course in their institutions.

Minimum formation: we require only curiosity about science communication, and interest in learning more about citizen science activities.