After successful completion of the course, students are able to

• Reflect on the role and value of public communication of research to wider society;
• Discuss different forms and formats of science communication;
• Assess the relation of their own research to different publics and the opportunities for public engagement it presents.
• Identify, characterize and prioritize different stakeholder groups and publics
• Set goals and develop strategies for effective research communication
• Design, undertake and facilitate science communication activities
• Engage and involve non-academic stakeholders in a meaningful way

Workshop Part 1: Prof. Sarah Davies

Where does our research meet the public? What spaces, strategies, and practices do these meetings involve? And why should we care about public engagement at all? This half day workshop will involve collective discussion of these questions. We will consider the place that communication of research plays in wider democratic society, and discuss where it is present in our existing activities, sharing experiences and best practices. The aim is to gain a wider perspective on what public science communication is, the different forms it can take, and its value and meaning within society.

Workshop Part 2: Mag.^a Sarah Funk & Mag.^a Alina Natmessnig (ScienceCenter-Network)

Scientists are more and more requested to communicate their research at diverse occasions and events, such as researchers’ nights, or as an integral part of (interdisciplinary) research and development projects. Hands- on science communication offers a set of highly effective methods to address and engage different audiences and present research in an interactive, accessible and inspiring way. In this half day workshop, we will move away from classic presentation formats and focus on more collaborative and participatory approaches to public engagement. You are going to design your own science communication activity with the aim of presenting your PhD topic at the final event in January 2021. Participants will receive professional coaching & guidance along the way.

Final Event: Mag.^a Sarah Funk & Mag.^a Alina Natmessnig (ScienceCenter-Network), Dr. Lisa Sigl

We will organise a small semi-public event (e.g. at TU library) at which you can practice your own science communication activity. (Friends and family can be invited to this final event.)

Your science communication activity/presentation of your research topic will be documented by Graphic Recording by Eva Rudofsky (https://www.totallydare.com/graphic-recording).

Workshops, group discussion, hands-on exercises, work on own ideas

The UE accompanies the whole Doctoral College with workshops. This means that participants will receive 3ECTS in total at the end of the Doctoral College.

The workshops & final event in the winter semester equal 1 ECTS and therefore complete the workshop series on Responsible Robotics. (This means there will be no more workshops in the Summer Semester.)

Dates:

Workshop: 9.12. (9.30-17.30)

Final event: 22.01. (15:00-18.00)

"Place":

Provided that the Corona-situation allows for it, we aim at doing both, workshop & final event in the large HS1 at Theresianumgasse. Otherwise, both will take place as online events!

Attendance, Active Participation

To complete the course, students need to attend the workshops and participate actively in the discussions and reflections in class.

Requirements for passing the course:

-          Active participation

-          Design of your own science communication activity to present your PhD topic at the final event in January 2021

-          1 ½ page description of science communication activity (as basis for the Graphic Recordings at the Final Event) until mid-January.

In case attendance is not possible, students may compensate for this with other assignments. In this case, please ask the lecturers about details before the respective workshop dates.

PhD candidates from TU PhD School "TrustRobots"