Università Roma Tre

This course is based on the use of case studies, intersting examples of science communication that will be presented and analysed during the lessons.

On the examples of these case studies, communication laboratories and practical activities will be organized. Students will work in team, guided by researchers and professional communicators, to plan and produce specific communication tools (articles, websites, blogs, audio/video etc).

The course will also take in account the technological aspects related to communication, introducing and examining selected open source software.

The program

The course is 52 hours long, including 40 ore of lessons and 12 hours of lab activities. 12 hours are in common with the “Communcating Science” PhD course.

Introduction to science communication
• The postulates of communication: from body language to the communication plan
• About science communication: why should we communicate science?
• Different types of communication, including in the academic & research world
• Planning an event for the public: the 5 steps strategy
• Visual communication and science

Speaking to the public about science
• Introduction to verbal communication: from public talks to press conferences
• The basics of public speaking in science
• Slides, audio/video and multimedia tools

Writing about science
• Introducing science journalism
• Differences between a scientific article, a press release and outreach articles
• Writing for video: the storyboard

Visual communication of science
• How to communicate science with images
• How to plan and produce an image

Communicating science on web
• How is science communicated on the web
• Science and web 2.0
• How to plan and produce a website

Organization of a public event
• The communication plan of a public event
• Organizing an astronomical observation event

Course handouts