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Syllabus

POG0086 To communicate science, 2.0 Credits

Subjects

Other Social Science

Education cycle

Postgraduate level

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

The course is intended for all PhD students at SLU. It is particularly suitable when the PhD student has started his/her own research so that it could be used as reference material.

Objectives

Interaction with the society is becoming more and more important for researchers. To spread new knowledge and facilitate its usefulness is an important task for researchers and the universities, and it is also a prerequisite for getting research grants. A growing number of research financiers also demand a plan for communication. This course teaches how to plan and perform communication work and what measures and channels that can be used to reach different target groups.

After completion of the course the participants should:

• Be able to make a communication plan.

• Be able to describe and discuss the role of research in society ("samverkansuppdraget").

• Have knowledge about relevant ideas and concepts regarding popular science communication.

• Have met, and discussed popular science communication, with role models and practicians within the field.

• Give examples of different channels used to communicate science to the public.

• Be able to describe how different media works.

Content

Would you like to learn how to communicate your science to a wider audience? During this course the participants will learn about different channels for research communication of popular science and how they can be used. We will cover for example popular science writing, blogging, electronic and social media. The training will be accomplished by lectures, seminars and practical exercises where the students can train their new skills.

With a mix of lecturers from both the university environment, as well as journalists from "the field" we aim to create an open course climate where different views and experiences can meet. The foundation of the course is dialogue, activity and different practical exercises.

Formats and requirements for examination

Examination is performed continuously, through active participation and attendance, and by producing assignments.

Attendance is mandatory at all lectures. Occasional missed lectures can be compensated by writing extra-assignments.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

When the course is finished a written evaluation is performed. The course is limited to 20 participants.

The course is organised jointly by the NJ Research Schools (Ecology - basics and applications, Focus on Food and Biomaterials, Focus on Soils and Water, Organism biology, Society and Landscape Research School, Sustainable Biomass System, Social Science Perspectives on Sustainable Development) and the divisions of Planning and Communication.

For application, please visit: https://internt.slu.se/en/support-services/education/doctoral-education1/doctoral-courses/basic-courses-application/