In-Person Courses

Duration

One day course

Overview 

This one-day, in-person course will help you produce clear, concise, engaging science writing for a wide range of audiences. Taught by award-winning science journalist and author Helen Pearson, it focuses on practical exercises to build experience in non-academic writing such as news, opinion, narrative and social media, while sharpening academic writing and increasing the reach and impact of your work. 

Content 

The course will cover the following topics and exercises: 

• Getting over fear of a blank page
• Journalistic skills in science news that are applicable to all writing
• Editing sentences to make them snappy
• Conducting and writing up an interview
• Descriptive ‘free writing’ to find your voice and style
• Tips on publishing your work in the media 

Who this course is for 

The course is aimed at academics and students (undergraduate or postgraduate) keen to improve their science writing and research communication. You may have a particular interest in developing writing for specific audiences, or you may just want a space to experiment with different forms and stretch your writing muscles in an encouraging environment.  

Teaching and structure 

This course lasts 6 hours with breaks. Teaching will be delivered entirely in person.  

You'll learn as part of a small group, interacting through practical exercises, questions and by receiving feedback from the tutor and peers. 

Preparation 

There is no required preparation for the course.  

Learning outcomes 

By the end of the course you'll be able to:  

• Understand key principles of clear science writing and have tried them in practice.
• Write and edit sentences that are sharp, clear and jargon-free.
• Gain insight into professional science journalism and communication. 

Cost 

UCL Staff and Student - £150
Non-UCL Attendees - £200

Further study 

This is part of a series of one-day workshops in practical science communication run by the UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies. Others include: Science multimedia workshop: Produce an online video in a day and Science communication: How to use AI smartly, critically, ethically 

Science multimedia storytelling - Produce a video in a day

• 6-7 hours
• One day

Course leader: Noah Baker

Overview
This course teaches academics how to harness the power of video to share their expertise with the broadest of audiences. During the course you will produce your own video content, guided by multi-award winning multimedia journalist Noah Baker. You will learn how to choose and shape stories by combining fundamental documentary principles with the latest production processes and an industry secret or two. Be it a reel, a YouTube short or a long form documentary - this course will ground you in the tools you need to create impact using the most trafficked content-type on the internet.

Content

The following topics and exercises will be covered:

• The fundamental principles of documentary storytelling
• Choosing the best medium, platform and format for your story
• Engaging an audience without ‘dumbing down’
• The power of video for representation in science
• The power of editing to enhance (and distort) science stories
• The start-to-finish production of an online video

Who this course is for

This course is for students, academics and those in the research industry who want to find new and better ways to engage with the public about their work. Video content accounts for around 80% of online traffic and this course provides an on-ramp into that world. You may want to start a YouTube channel, develop your social media presence, promote your lab, combat misinformation or simply learn more about the industry. This course gives you the tools you need to dive in at the deep end and swim.

Teaching and structure

This is a one day course lasting 6-7 hours, taught entirely in person on campus at UCL. Teaching will consist of a combination of lecture-based discussions and hands-on practical work (planning, shooting and editing a film in a day). Practical work will be carried out in smaller groups and take place across the UCL campus. All equipment is provided.

Preparation

No prior knowledge or preparation is required.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course you'll be able to: 

• Conceptualise and plan impactful video stories for a specific target audience.
• Shoot, edit and publish stories on the most powerful platforms on the internet.

Cost and concessions

UCL Staff and Student - £150
Non-UCL Attendees - £200 

Further study

This is part of a series of one-day science communication workshops, run by the journalists Richard Fisher, Helen Pearson and Noah Baker, affiliated to the Science and Technology Studies department. Other courses focus on practical science writing, and the practical and ethical use of AI.

Duration

One day course

Overview

In this one-day in-person course, participants interested in communicating with popular audiences will learn how to get the best from generative AI in their work. With interactive discussion and hands-on exercises led by Richard Fisher – an experienced ex-BBC science journalist who teaches digital skills at UCL – attendees will explore the challenges, the trends, and the tools. We'll identify the benefits and pitfalls of AI, how to use it critically and reflectively, the lesser-known techniques and services, and look ahead to where the technology is headed next. The course is centred on science communication, but will cover territory relevant to anyone interested in media and communication.

Content

The following topics will be covered:

• Ethical questions raised by generative AI
• The exciting opportunities and problematic pitfalls for communicators
• Guidance on how to get the best from AI – from research to editing support
• Practical activities with both mainstream LLMs and lesser known tools 

Who this course is for

This course is aimed at people who:

• are seeking to communicate their work to general audiences (eg science communication, popular media etc)
• are interested in using AI to improve communication, but critically, thoughtfully and ethically

 Teaching and structure

This one-day course lasts 5-6 hours. Teaching will be delivered in person on UCL campus.

You'll learn as part of a group, interacting through activities and questions and learning from others by taking part in the discussions that accompany each step.

 Preparation

No prior use of AI is necessary

Science communication experience not required

 Learning outcomes

By the end of the course you'll be able to: 

• Approach AI tools with critical awareness of the benefits and downsides
• Demonstrate practical experience of AI tool use for better science communication

 Cost 

UCL Staff and Student - £150
Non-UCL Attendees - £200

 Further study

This is part of a series of one-day workshops in practical science communication run by the UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies. Others include: Science multimedia workshop: Produce an online video in a day and Science communication: How to write clearly for any audience