Successful Science Communication with our Workshops

During this training, our communication coaches will help you develop a comprehensive storyline around your research topic. Your final product will be an engaging 3-minute narrative, designed as a template to help you speak effectively and responsively with multiple audiences.

Learning Objectives

• Strategies for efficient on- and offline communication in academia
• Introduction to the basics of storytelling
• Introduction to the fundamentals of message distilling
• Function of emotions, techniques and methods for using emotions in science communication
• Development of metaphors and analogies
• Development of "first lines / last lines"

The goal of this workshop is to help scientists learn to communicate more effectively about science with audiences outside their research field, with the focus on the public, but also policy makers, the media, students, potential employers or funders, and prospective collaborators in other disciplines. Through discussion and practice, we will focus on developing a communication “GAME plan”– clear and concise Goals, connecting with your Audience, refining your Message, and Executing by speaking clearly and conversationally about your work and why it matters.

Your Coach

Dr. Jesse John, Managing Director Explainables Communication; Graduate Researcher State University of New York

Dates

03.10.2024 & 04.10.2024, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CEST)

Besides the course attendance, the workload also includes about 4 hours of preparation and homework. In advance of the workshop, you will be asked to submit a preparation task. If a person does not hand in the preparation task the participation is canceled and the place will be offered to someone on the waitlist.

A personal brand in combination with a social media strategy can be a crucial step in winning grants, building a scientific reputation, and advancing your career. Networking at all career levels and between disciplines is a key skill to establish professional relationships within academia or the job market in the industry.

This workshop tackles questions like: How do I establish an authentic personal brand? What is the market for my ideas and which are my options for sharing information? How do I build and maintain relationships in my community or with potential future collaborators in other fields? Which online channels does my market use?

Participants will develop their personal brand and polish their online networking skills. In interactive exercises and games participants will be provided with the necessary tools for successful academic marketing on social media.

Learning Objectives

• Improved professional networking using social media channels
• Understanding the benefits of personal branding
• Performing a self/brand assessment
• Comprehensively developing your brand and managing it online
• Understanding “product cycles” in your social academic network

Coach

Dr. Daniel Angerhausen, Executive Director Explainables Communication; Senior Scientist ETH, Zürich

Dates

30.10.2024 & 31.10.2024, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (CET)

or

30.10.2024 & 31.10.2024, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CET)

Besides the course attendance, the workload also includes about 4 hours of preparation and homework. In advance of the workshop, you will be asked to submit a preparation task. If a person does not hand in the preparation task the participation is canceled and the place will be offered to someone on the waitlist.

This workshop will provide a hands-on introduction on how to create effective visual products to communicate your  research. You will explore some fundamental principles of graphic design and how they can be applied to scientific presentations or posters. In collaboration with the instructors you will work actively on crafting your presentation or poster in class. The concepts the instructor will show should be independent of the software you use and applicable to e.g. google slides, Powerpoint, Keynote, Latex, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.

Learning Objectives

• Introduction to basic presentation and poster design
• Application of visual design principles to guide your process of creating scientific visuals
• Effectively communicate your research with a scientific presentation or poster
• Incorporating useful tips and tricks about various layout software tools
• Avoiding technical pitfalls for digital and printing products (file formats, color spaces, image resolution, text, etc.)

Coach

Amran Salleh, Creative Director Explainables Communication; Graphic Designer, Hamburg

Dates

05.11.2024 & 11.11.2024, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CET)

Besides the course attendance, the workload aso includes about 4 hours of preparation and homework. In advance of the workshop, you will be asked to submit a preparation task. If a person does not hand in the preparation task the participation is canceled and the place will be offered to someone on the waitlist.

Proposal writing is a fundamental component of modern-day science, in which a researcher proposes a line of research to a funding agency (or within a company) with the goal of securing the necessary resources to pursue the research. A successful proposal enables an individual researcher to direct and
manage their own research. It can provide additional benefits such as freedom to choose the institution where they conduct the research. Proposal writing occurs at all levels of academia and industry, from writing a travel grant application to applying for job positions or asking funding agencies to support your
projects. Whilst the format and emphasis of a proposal can vary depending on the field and objectives, there are nevertheless basic rules that can be followed to greatly enhance the prospects of success.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how proposals are constructed from start to finish.
• Learn the techniques for effectively communicating your idea or vision in a scientific proposal.
• Appreciate how proposals are reviewed, and how you can use this information to your benefit.
•  Avoid common mistakes that can preclude your proposal from the advanced review stages.

This interactive workshop will describe the tips and tactics to ensure that your proposal is as competitive as possible. At the end of this workshop you will have produced an outline of a proposal that adheres to SNSF guidelines (the format is similar for all major funding bodies), and which encapsulates the take-home messages of the workshop.

Coach

Dr. Daniel Angerhausen, Executive Director Explainables Communication; Senior Scientist ETH, Zürich

Dates

07.11.2024 & 08.11.2024, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CET)

Besides the course attendance, the workload aso includes about 4 hours of preparation and homework. In advance of the workshop, you will be asked to submit a preparation task. If a person does not hand in the preparation task the participation is canceled and the place will be offered to someone on the waitlist.

If you want to take part in the workshops on science communication, you should meet the following selection criteria:

• You have completed your first university degree and are currently doing a Master's, doctorate, or a postdoc.
• You are aiming for a scientific career.
• Availability of the required technical equipment (fast and stable internet access, webcam, headset).
• Readiness to submit a small preparation task in advance of the workshops.
• Readiness to actively participate in the workshops.

Note: In addition to fulfilling the selection criteria, places at the online training will be allocated according to the principle of "first come - first served" and according to the status of registrations. A waitlist will be installed. is required to participate in the trainings.

Each module takes place as an online workshop, on two half days of 3 hours each including breaks. The overall workload of a module is about 10 hours and includes – besides the course attendance – about 4 hours of preparation and homework.

In advance of each module, you will be asked to submit a small preparation task. If a person does not hand in the preparation task, the participation is canceled, and the place will be offered to someone on the waitlist.

The number of participants per seminar is limited to 12 to 16 people.

The online workshops take place in the video conference application "Zoom". The use is free of charge for the participants and complies with data protection regulations.

A is required to participate. As part of the training, participants exchange ideas in a closed group on the Alumniportal Deutschland. Updates to the workshops, links to presentations and further information are also stored here.

The workshops are held in English language.

You will receive a certificate of participation for successfully completed modules.