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Focus point Science Communication

Ivory tower no more! The days when scientific topics were mainly covered in English-language journals are long gone. The diversity of channels and the appetite for unusual formats is also massively changing the way we communicate at university. Examples? Hundreds of enthusiastic children in the Audimax of the University of Bayreuth learn about artificial intelligence, citizens engage in discussions with scientists at public lecture series or in the 'Bayreuther Stadtgespräch' format; hard-working hobby mappers provide valuable support for a nature atlas of the region, tens of thousands of people click on YouTube videos of the '6 Minuten Jura' series or listen to podcasts from the Chair of Marketing & Sports Management (MAS) or from Media Studies ('Beyond Bayreuth').

The communication of and about scientific issues and results with various target groups outside the university and their active involvement offers a fantastic opportunity to convey complex information in a generally understandable way, to receive direct feedback and to actively include other perspectives and virulent issues in the structuring of the scientific knowledge acquisition process – an emotional and content-related enrichment! But also work in an area that requires the necessary theoretical knowledge and methodological skills. We would like to support you in the diverse possibilities in the field of Science Communication. Because it is becoming increasingly important, and is also an integral part of the university contract, to make research results accessible to a broad public on a wide variety of platforms in the most vivid way possible and thus make them understandable, the demands on all researchers, doctoral students, postdocs and employees of the various service centres and all other university institutions that are directly or indirectly involved in Science Communication have also grown considerably. This is all the more the case as, according to an announcement by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Science Communication will become "an integral part of all funding guidelines and funded research projects – regardless of the respective scientific field".

Against this backdrop, the University of Bayreuth has launched a broad-based Scicomm initiative to raise even more awareness for this topic. This is certainly best achieved through comprehensive information and the willingness of everyone to get involved. And because as many members of the university as possible need to be informed, the UBT has put together a training programme that provides information on the most important aspects of this challenging topic. 

Good to know: The UBT offers the training programmes without any financial contribution. However, so that as many researchers and students as possible can benefit from these training programmes, we would like to point out that, in the interests of equal opportunities, you should not register for several basic seminars, but only for one. Thank you for your understanding. Below is an initial overview of the first seminars and workshops that will be offered from autumn 2024.

Training seminars on the topic of Science Communication

Basic one-day seminars on Science Communication in presence at the UBT (in German)

Researchers play a central role in public communication about science alongside professional communicators and journalists. They write articles and commentaries for newspapers and magazines, give interviews, take part in public events, are present on social media and more. If you want to reach the general public, you have to get to the heart of the issues in a targeted and generally understandable way.

The following introductory seminars aim to raise awareness in Science Communication. Participants learn about the interaction between research and the media. Using basic concepts, they learn about the essential aspects of good communication and identify reasons why Science Communication is important.

Thematic focus

  • Communicating professionally – the basics of Science Communication
  • Communication change – from news to dialogue
  • Target groups and media – striking the right tone
  • The core message – speaking and being understood
  • Trust in science – important factors for increased trustworthiness

Dates

We are offering this one-day seminar on a total of four days in November 2024 (please only register for one of the dates listed):

14 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; Lecturer: Dr. Christiane Attig

15 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; Lecturer: Dr. Christiane Attig

21 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; lecturer: Jens Notroff

22 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; lecturer: Jens Notroff

Registration

Participation is free of charge for members of the university. Successful participation will be confirmed with a certificate. Binding registration is required. Registration for this seminar is only possible via these links:

  • All applicants will then receive feedback as to whether they have been allocated a place in their chosen workshop.
  • Registration for the Scicomm training seminars usually begins 6 weeks before the seminar.

Basic seminars Scicomm digital (in German)

With the Scicomm Schools ‘Communicating Science!’, the agency con gressa, which specialises in Science Communication, offers early career researchers in science and communication from all over Germany an introduction to Science Communication in digital form. The ‘Scicomm Autumn School’ is therefore aimed at researchers who want to get started in the field of Science Communication and gain first experiences. In addition to practical examples and exercises, theoretical principles and concepts are also taught. As part of its Scicomm initiative, the University of Bayreuth has reserved several places for the seminar series in autumn and winter 2024, which are free of charge for participants. Places will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Please note: All 10 places for the Scicomm Autumn School 2024 have already been allocated. There is a waiting list. There are 7 places available for the Winter School at the University of Bayreuth.

Dates

  • Scicomm Autumn School: 23 – 26 September 2024, Mondays-Thursdays from 8.00 to 10.30 a.m.

  • Scicomm Winter School: 2 – 5 December 2024, Mondays-Thursdays from 8.00 to 10.30 a.m.


Registration

Participation is free of charge for members of the university. Binding registration is required. Registration for this seminar only via these links:

  • All applicants will then receive feedback as to whether they have been allocated a place in their chosen workshop.
  • Registration for the Scicomm training seminars usually begins 6 weeks before the seminar.

Two-day seminar Introduction to Science Communication in English (digital)

This two-day introductory seminar in Science Communication is aimed specifically at UBT researchers and staff who prefer a seminar programme in English. The seminar takes place online. As in all other basic seminars offered, participants will learn about the interaction between research and the media. Using basic concepts, they will learn about the essential aspects of good communication and identify reasons why Science Communication is important.

Thematic focus

  • Communicating professionally – the basics of Science Communication
  • Communication change – from news to dialogue
  • Target groups and media – striking the right tone
  • The core message – speaking and being understood
  • Trust in science – important factors for increased trustworthiness

Dates

The basics seminar will take place online on 24  and 25 October 2024, each day from 9 am to 12:30 pm, and will be led by Dr. Jens Foell and Stina Börchers on behalf of the National Institute for Science Communication (NaWik). 

Registration

Participation is free of charge for members of the university. Successful participation will be confirmed with a certificate. Binding registration is required. Registration for this seminar is only possible via these links:

  • All applicants will then receive feedback as to whether they have been allocated a place in their chosen workshop.
  • Registration for the Scicomm training seminars usually begins 6 weeks before the seminar.

Press enquiry – what do I do now?! (in German)

Anja-Maria Meister, experienced journalist and press officer at the University of Bayreuth since February 2017, will give a compact seminar (approx. four hours) for a maximum of eight participants from the University of Bayreuth's scientific community on the work and wide range of services offered by the Press, Marketing and Communication departement on the topic of Science Communication. 

The PMK department supports the university's researchers with a wide range of services in dealing with journalists and the media. Meister also addresses key issues and necessities as well as current developments in the field of Science Communication, often using the example of topics and questions that the participants themselves contribute to the seminar. There are no costs for participants as part of the UBT initiative to promote Science Communication.

Date

Monday, 18 November 2024, 2-6 p.m.

Registration

Participation is free of charge for members of the university. Binding registration is required. Registration for this seminar only via these links:

  • All applicants will then receive feedback as to whether they have been allocated a place in their chosen workshop.
  • Registration for the Scicomm training seminars usually begins 6 weeks before the seminar.

Scicomm in funding applications (in German)

The one-day seminar, which is organised by the National Institute for Science Communication gGmbH (NaWik) at the University of Bayreuth and is also aimed at members of the University of Bayreuth from the scientific and non-scientific sector, is intended to enable scientists to adequately reflect the topic of Science Communication in their funding applications and to realise the communication projects planned as part of their research applications.

Contents

Participants learn about the basic principles of Science Communication and develop their own concepts and strategies for the specific communication of certain (their own) research projects. The training is designed to be interactive. Teaching content is mixed with exercises and question-and-answer sessions.

Thematic focus

  • The strategic framework for Science Communication in proposals
  • The alignment of communication goals with target groups
  • The selection of suitable communication formats
  • The planning and budgeting of resources
  • The evaluation of communication activities

Date

The one-day seminar (9 am to 5 pm incl. breaks), which will take place on 23 October 2024 in presence at the University of Bayreuth and will be led by Dr. Lisa Ringena, is aimed at scientists as well as employees from the scientific and non-scientific area of the University of Bayreuth.

Registration

Participation is free of charge for members of the University. Binding registration is required. Registration for this seminar is only possible via these links:

  • All applicants will then receive feedback as to whether they have been allocated a place in their chosen workshop.
  • Registration for the Scicomm training seminars usually begins 6 weeks before the seminar.

Training seminars on the topic of Science Communication

Basic one-day seminars on Science Communication in presence at the UBT (in German)

Researchers play a central role in public communication about science alongside professional communicators and journalists. They write articles and commentaries for newspapers and magazines, give interviews, take part in public events, are present on social media and more. If you want to reach the general public, you have to get to the heart of the issues in a targeted and generally understandable way.

The following introductory seminars aim to raise awareness in Science Communication. Participants learn about the interaction between research and the media. Using basic concepts, they learn about the essential aspects of good communication and identify reasons why Science Communication is important.

Thematic focus

  • Communicating professionally – the basics of Science Communication
  • Communication change – from news to dialogue
  • Target groups and media – striking the right tone
  • The core message – speaking and being understood
  • Trust in science – important factors for increased trustworthiness

Dates

We are offering this one-day seminar on a total of four days in November 2024 (please only register for one of the dates listed):

14 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; Lecturer: Dr. Christiane Attig

15 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; Lecturer: Dr. Christiane Attig

21 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; lecturer: Jens Notroff

22 November 2024: in presence, exclusively for members of the University of Bayreuth in Bayreuth; maximum 12 participants; lecturer: Jens Notroff

Registration

Participation is free of charge for members of the university. Successful participation will be confirmed with a certificate. Binding registration is required. Registration for this seminar is only possible via these links:

  • All applicants will then receive feedback as to whether they have been allocated a place in their chosen workshop.
  • Registration for the Scicomm training seminars usually begins 6 weeks before the seminar.

Important note: As we want as many researchers as possible to have the opportunity to participate in further training, we ask you to register for only one seminar within a semester.

The Scicomm-ABC

How do you define Science Communication? Who has which expectations of Science Communication? What should you do and what not? What formats, what hurdles, what suggestions are there? We provide you with questions, explanations and tips on the subject of Science Communication in our Scicomm-list from A to Z.

Your contact for Science Communication

Do you have a request or a question about Science Communication? Please feel free to contact me. I will always try to help you. You can usually reach me in the office from Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., otherwise of course by e-mail.

Gert-Dieter Meier

Gert Dieter Meier

Science Communication, Press, Marketing and Communication Department

+49 (0)921 / 55-5356
gert.meier@uni-bayreuth.de  

Zentrale Universitätsverwaltung (ZUV), Office 3.09
Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth 

'High education can be proven by knowing how to explain the most complicated things in a simple way.'

The Irish poet Georg Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) describes an important realisation of Science Communication with this clever sentence. However, the realisation of this insight remains complex. This makes it all the more important to consider the experiences, insights and knowledge of others who have already worked intensively on the topic of Science Communication. These reading tips should also contribute to this.