Grant Researchers attend 'Standing Up for Science' Workshop

Two Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) involved with the Grant, Dr Helen Freeman from the University of Leeds and PhD student Peter Morris from the University of Warwick, attended a ‘Standing Up for Science’ Workshop at the University of Manchester on 29 March 2019.  The Workshop, run by Sense About Science, was centred around helping ESRs improve their communication and public engagement skills.

Helen and Peter attended panels focused on how scientists could engage with journalists, policymakers, and the public at large, with a particular focus on helping ESRs communicate their research.  Panelists included Michelle Adamson, a Broadcast Journalist from BBC Radio Manchester; Dr Sarah Bunn, a Scientific Adviser in Biological Sciences and Health at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; and Professor Mark Lorch, Columnist for The Conversation and The New Humanist.  The panels gave practical advice for effective science communication, and established the different priorities that audiences might have when talking to scientists.  The day was rounded out with a practical exercise, detailing a five-step plan for communicating research to have the greatest possible impact on the public.

We would like to thank Dr Hamid Khan and Ilaina Khairulzaman for their help facilitating the panels and activities, and for organising such an interesting and informative Workshop.  More information about the ‘Standing up for Science’ Workshop can be found at https://senseaboutscience.org/

Delegates taking part in the 'Standing Up for Science' Workshop