Admission requirements
Current Biomedical Sciences master’s student
Description
Scientists have always needed to share their research with their peers. The idea however, that scientists need to “sell” their research is relatively new. Promoting your own research is not the same as being a marketer, or selling a product, however it is increasingly important that researchers can communicate the relevance and importance of their work. This is important for obtaining research grants and subsidies and this is important for reaching out to the public. The increased need for scientists to obtain their own funding and the increased level of competition for those resources means that scientists must be able to communicate the value of their research to diverse audiences.
The course will give students experience in using techniques from theatre and oral storytelling to engage and inspire a non-specialist audience. The course will equip students to participate in new-media science communication such as TED talks or Fame Lab presentations.
Period
To be announced
Course objectives
To train students to give presentations that inspire and enthuse the audience
i) Using methodologies from theatre and traditional oral storytelling, you will learn to engage and hold the audience’s attention using:
verbal techniques (tone/ pitch/ volume)
Non-verbal techniques (gesture, mime, use of props)
storytelling technique for drama, tension building
Theatre techniques for breath control and use of physical space
ii) You become skilled at translating your research story for a lay audience by:
identifying the essential aspects to your research
communicating the essence of your research in a limited period
reaching a diverse audience group
exploring ways to inspire an audience
Mode of instruction
The course is comprised of 6 interactive workshops limited to 12 students.
Week 1: 2 hours workgroup
Preparation (story telling) 2-4 hours
Week 2: 2 hours workgroup
Week 3: 2 hours workgroup
Preparation (science performance) 2-4 hours
Week 4: 2 hours rehearsal performance and feedback
Week 5: 2 hours workshop
Preparation (science performance) 2-4 hours
Week 6: 2 hours final performance
Assessment method
Participation in workshops and completion of all performance assignments will result in 1EC being awarded.