Graduate School of Life Sciences course timetable
March 2021
| Tue 2 |
This week-long training will focus on Public Engagement and Policy. The week will start with a first session introducing the policy sector, possible forms of policy collaboration for researchers and professionals, the skills and competences needed and practical tips to immediately start your policy engagement. Because of the current context requiring many of us to work from home, the second session will be specifically dedicated to "branding" yourself online when reaching out to relevant policy actors. The third session will consist of an interactive meeting during which participants will pitch their research to stress its policy relevance. Instructions will be circulated during the week. There will also be available slots for personal and group mentoring. The training is open to early and mid-career researchers and professional staff willing to enhance their understanding of policy engagement. This training will be led by Dr. Maja Spanu, Junior Research Fellow and Affiliated Lecturer to the Department of Politics and International Studies in Cambridge and postdoc lead for Humanities and Social Science fort the University’s Public Engagement Advisory Group. Structure of the training: Tuesday 10 am-11.15 am: Session I Introductory Session + Q&A Wednesday 11 am-12.15 pm; Session II Branding: Linkedin and CV + Q&A Thursday 11am-12pm or 3pm-4pm: Mentoring: available for 15-minute 1:1 sessions for direct advice on personal branding and other Q&As. Friday 2pm-3.45pm: Session III Pitching your Research: Interactive session with pitching + participants’ feedback" |
| Wed 3 |
This week-long training will focus on Public Engagement and Policy. The week will start with a first session introducing the policy sector, possible forms of policy collaboration for researchers and professionals, the skills and competences needed and practical tips to immediately start your policy engagement. Because of the current context requiring many of us to work from home, the second session will be specifically dedicated to "branding" yourself online when reaching out to relevant policy actors. The third session will consist of an interactive meeting during which participants will pitch their research to stress its policy relevance. Instructions will be circulated during the week. There will also be available slots for personal and group mentoring. The training is open to early and mid-career researchers and professional staff willing to enhance their understanding of policy engagement. This training will be led by Dr. Maja Spanu, Junior Research Fellow and Affiliated Lecturer to the Department of Politics and International Studies in Cambridge and postdoc lead for Humanities and Social Science fort the University’s Public Engagement Advisory Group. Structure of the training: Tuesday 10 am-11.15 am: Session I Introductory Session + Q&A Wednesday 11 am-12.15 pm; Session II Branding: Linkedin and CV + Q&A Thursday 11am-12pm or 3pm-4pm: Mentoring: available for 15-minute 1:1 sessions for direct advice on personal branding and other Q&As. Friday 2pm-3.45pm: Session III Pitching your Research: Interactive session with pitching + participants’ feedback" |
| Fri 5 |
This week-long training will focus on Public Engagement and Policy. The week will start with a first session introducing the policy sector, possible forms of policy collaboration for researchers and professionals, the skills and competences needed and practical tips to immediately start your policy engagement. Because of the current context requiring many of us to work from home, the second session will be specifically dedicated to "branding" yourself online when reaching out to relevant policy actors. The third session will consist of an interactive meeting during which participants will pitch their research to stress its policy relevance. Instructions will be circulated during the week. There will also be available slots for personal and group mentoring. The training is open to early and mid-career researchers and professional staff willing to enhance their understanding of policy engagement. This training will be led by Dr. Maja Spanu, Junior Research Fellow and Affiliated Lecturer to the Department of Politics and International Studies in Cambridge and postdoc lead for Humanities and Social Science fort the University’s Public Engagement Advisory Group. Structure of the training: Tuesday 10 am-11.15 am: Session I Introductory Session + Q&A Wednesday 11 am-12.15 pm; Session II Branding: Linkedin and CV + Q&A Thursday 11am-12pm or 3pm-4pm: Mentoring: available for 15-minute 1:1 sessions for direct advice on personal branding and other Q&As. Friday 2pm-3.45pm: Session III Pitching your Research: Interactive session with pitching + participants’ feedback" |
| Tue 9 |
This course will cover how to use Social Media tools for Public Engagement. The course will be delivered by the Social Media and AV team. |
| Thu 11 |
Why is YouTube popular? Because people love watching videos. A research video can be a great way to get your message across to your collaborators, your friends, and the wider world as well as being a condition of some funding bodies. But it isn't easy to do well - and this is where this course will make a difference. Come along and learn the skills needed to plan, shoot & edit high quality footage for research videos so that your video can stand out from the crowd. You just need yourself, a camera phone and your enthusiasm! |
| Fri 12 |
Why is YouTube popular? Because people love watching videos. A research video can be a great way to get your message across to your collaborators, your friends, and the wider world as well as being a condition of some funding bodies. But it isn't easy to do well - and this is where this course will make a difference. Come along and learn the skills needed to plan, shoot & edit high quality footage for research videos so that your video can stand out from the crowd. You just need yourself, a camera phone and your enthusiasm! |
| Tue 16 |
Improvised comedy, better known simply as “improv”, describes a wide variety of theatrical forms which all share the key characteristic that content, scenes, and characters are creating spontaneously by the performers. Successful improvisors embody a set of core skills, summarized by the phrase “Yes, and…”, which can be readily taught and learnt, and which can be used by practicing scientists and science communicators to provide a framework for more effective communication and collaboration. Although born in very different contexts, improv’s core skills embody the values underpinning the shift to more participatory and dialogic forms of public engagement in the UK in recent decades. This training is an unashamedly entertaining and enjoyable introduction to improv for scientists hoping to do better when undertaking challenging intellectual tasks in front of others and when interacting with others when you wish to be—and wish to be seen to be—responsive to their perspectives and opinions. The training is not about being funny or making people laugh, but is instead about the underlying skills which lead to successful improv, and no one should be put off for a fear of “not being funny enough”. As a highly interactive training, everyone must be minimally comfortable talking in front of others in order to get the most out of the course. |
| Thu 18 |
Why is YouTube popular? Because people love watching videos. A research video can be a great way to get your message across to your collaborators, your friends, and the wider world as well as being a condition of some funding bodies. But it isn't easy to do well - and this is where this course will make a difference. Come along and learn the skills needed to plan, shoot & edit high quality footage for research videos so that your video can stand out from the crowd. You just need yourself, a camera phone and your enthusiasm! |
| Fri 19 |
Why is YouTube popular? Because people love watching videos. A research video can be a great way to get your message across to your collaborators, your friends, and the wider world as well as being a condition of some funding bodies. But it isn't easy to do well - and this is where this course will make a difference. Come along and learn the skills needed to plan, shoot & edit high quality footage for research videos so that your video can stand out from the crowd. You just need yourself, a camera phone and your enthusiasm! |
| Tue 23 |
Improvised comedy, better known simply as “improv”, describes a wide variety of theatrical forms which all share the key characteristic that content, scenes, and characters are creating spontaneously by the performers. Successful improvisors embody a set of core skills, summarized by the phrase “Yes, and…”, which can be readily taught and learnt, and which can be used by practicing scientists and science communicators to provide a framework for more effective communication and collaboration. Although born in very different contexts, improv’s core skills embody the values underpinning the shift to more participatory and dialogic forms of public engagement in the UK in recent decades. This training is an unashamedly entertaining and enjoyable introduction to improv for scientists hoping to do better when undertaking challenging intellectual tasks in front of others and when interacting with others when you wish to be—and wish to be seen to be—responsive to their perspectives and opinions. The training is not about being funny or making people laugh, but is instead about the underlying skills which lead to successful improv, and no one should be put off for a fear of “not being funny enough”. As a highly interactive training, everyone must be minimally comfortable talking in front of others in order to get the most out of the course. |
| Tue 30 |
Improvised comedy, better known simply as “improv”, describes a wide variety of theatrical forms which all share the key characteristic that content, scenes, and characters are creating spontaneously by the performers. Successful improvisors embody a set of core skills, summarized by the phrase “Yes, and…”, which can be readily taught and learnt, and which can be used by practicing scientists and science communicators to provide a framework for more effective communication and collaboration. Although born in very different contexts, improv’s core skills embody the values underpinning the shift to more participatory and dialogic forms of public engagement in the UK in recent decades. This training is an unashamedly entertaining and enjoyable introduction to improv for scientists hoping to do better when undertaking challenging intellectual tasks in front of others and when interacting with others when you wish to be—and wish to be seen to be—responsive to their perspectives and opinions. The training is not about being funny or making people laugh, but is instead about the underlying skills which lead to successful improv, and no one should be put off for a fear of “not being funny enough”. As a highly interactive training, everyone must be minimally comfortable talking in front of others in order to get the most out of the course. |
April 2021
| Fri 9 |
Improvised comedy, better known simply as “improv”, describes a wide variety of theatrical forms which all share the key characteristic that content, scenes, and characters are creating spontaneously by the performers. Successful improvisors embody a set of core skills, summarized by the phrase “Yes, and…”, which can be readily taught and learnt, and which can be used by practicing scientists and science communicators to provide a framework for more effective communication and collaboration. Although born in very different contexts, improv’s core skills embody the values underpinning the shift to more participatory and dialogic forms of public engagement in the UK in recent decades. This training is an unashamedly entertaining and enjoyable introduction to improv for scientists hoping to do better when undertaking challenging intellectual tasks in front of others and when interacting with others when you wish to be—and wish to be seen to be—responsive to their perspectives and opinions. The training is not about being funny or making people laugh, but is instead about the underlying skills which lead to successful improv, and no one should be put off for a fear of “not being funny enough”. As a highly interactive training, everyone must be minimally comfortable talking in front of others in order to get the most out of the course. |
| Thu 15 |
This course gives an introduction into how to engage with the public through media. It will cover the differing types of media, what makes research newsworthy, how to work with the communications office to gain media coverage, what to expect from an interview (print, pre-recorded, live) and how to communicate well in interviews. It will be delivered jointly with the University Communications team. |
| Tue 20 |
What is Impact? This course is going to disentangle academic and non-academic impact. It will explore the current research environment and impact agenda and help you understand how research is funded. You will get to discuss your research in small groups, and think about the types of impact it could generate. You will also understand where Public Engagement sits in the wider Impact agenda. You will have the opportunity to analyse impact cases studies that featured Public Engagement as a way of achieving Impact. |
May 2021
| Mon 10 |
Capturing your audience’s attention and keeping it is vital for any type of public engagement. Having a good story to tell and then telling it in a compelling way enables you to connect with a wide audience. This module takes you through the art and science of storytelling: exploring attention and motivation, dramatic structure, rhetorical devices, visual enhancements, and peripheral influences so that you can craft your own engaging story. |
| Tue 11 |
This one-hour training will focus on Public Engagement and Policy. It will introduce the policy sector, the main types of stakeholders involved and their expectations when engaging with researchers. We will then delve into the available forms of collaboration for early and mid-career researchers, focusing on general outreach and impact strategies that researchers and university professionals can develop. The final part of the training will be dedicated to identifying the skills and competences needed, and practical tips to immediately start your policy engagement. This training will be led by Dr. Maja Spanu, Research Fellow and Affiliated Lecturer at the Department of Politics and International Studies, in Cambridge, and postdoc lead for Humanities and Social Science for the University’s Public Engagement Advisory Group. |
| Wed 12 |
Capturing your audience’s attention and keeping it is vital for any type of public engagement. Having a good story to tell and then telling it in a compelling way enables you to connect with a wide audience. This module takes you through the art and science of storytelling: exploring attention and motivation, dramatic structure, rhetorical devices, visual enhancements, and peripheral influences so that you can craft your own engaging story. |
| Fri 14 |
Capturing your audience’s attention and keeping it is vital for any type of public engagement. Having a good story to tell and then telling it in a compelling way enables you to connect with a wide audience. This module takes you through the art and science of storytelling: exploring attention and motivation, dramatic structure, rhetorical devices, visual enhancements, and peripheral influences so that you can craft your own engaging story. |
| Mon 17 |
Successful engagement with the public can benefit research, researchers and the public – but how do you go about demonstrating this change? Evaluation of engagement doesn’t just help us demonstrate the value of our PE initiatives but can help bring us closer to our audiences by giving the public a strong clear voice. This workshop will guide you through the best evaluation processes showing you When, Why and crucially How to use evaluation to give you reliable and clear data. Demonstrate success to funders; record Impact for REF; learn how to improve your processes and have a better understanding of the people you are connecting with. This course is going to be run by Jamie Galagher: Jamie is an award-winning freelance science communicator and engagement professional. He has delivered training around the world, from skyscrapers of Hong Kong to tents in the African bush. Having had four years’ experience as the central PE lead for the University of Glasgow he has worked on improving the reach, profile and impact of research engagement in almost every academic discipline. Specialising in evaluation Jamie provides consultancy services to charities and universities helping them to demonstrate their impact and understand their audiences and stakeholders. Jamie is also an associate editor of the Research for All journal. He was named as one of the “100 leading practising scientists in the UK” by the Science Council and as one of the “175 Faces of Chemistry” by the Royal Society of Chemistry. He won the International 3 Minute Thesis Competition and Famelab Scotland. www.jamiebgall.co.uk @jamiebgall |
| Tue 18 |
Successful engagement with the public can benefit research, researchers and the public – but how do you go about demonstrating this change? Evaluation of engagement doesn’t just help us demonstrate the value of our PE initiatives but can help bring us closer to our audiences by giving the public a strong clear voice. This workshop will guide you through the best evaluation processes showing you When, Why and crucially How to use evaluation to give you reliable and clear data. Demonstrate success to funders; record Impact for REF; learn how to improve your processes and have a better understanding of the people you are connecting with. This course is going to be run by Jamie Galagher: Jamie is an award-winning freelance science communicator and engagement professional. He has delivered training around the world, from skyscrapers of Hong Kong to tents in the African bush. Having had four years’ experience as the central PE lead for the University of Glasgow he has worked on improving the reach, profile and impact of research engagement in almost every academic discipline. Specialising in evaluation Jamie provides consultancy services to charities and universities helping them to demonstrate their impact and understand their audiences and stakeholders. Jamie is also an associate editor of the Research for All journal. He was named as one of the “100 leading practising scientists in the UK” by the Science Council and as one of the “175 Faces of Chemistry” by the Royal Society of Chemistry. He won the International 3 Minute Thesis Competition and Famelab Scotland. www.jamiebgall.co.uk @jamiebgall |
| Mon 31 |
We’ll be looking at the what, why and how of public engagement and introducing researchers to some of the ways to plan an effective public engagement project. Topics: • The what: definitions of public engagement, who are the public, what activities count as engagement, what are the goals? • The why: University commitment to PE, REF, Funders • The how: the Logic Model approach to planning PE, practical considerations, moving engagement online and opportunities at the University. Course structure: Monday 10am-11am: Introduction to PE Wednesday 2pm-3pm: Evaluation and online PE tips and hints and opportunities at the University Friday 10am-12pm: Do you have any questions? 1:1 advice sessions (not mandatory to attend!) |
June 2021
| Wed 2 |
We’ll be looking at the what, why and how of public engagement and introducing researchers to some of the ways to plan an effective public engagement project. Topics: • The what: definitions of public engagement, who are the public, what activities count as engagement, what are the goals? • The why: University commitment to PE, REF, Funders • The how: the Logic Model approach to planning PE, practical considerations, moving engagement online and opportunities at the University. Course structure: Monday 10am-11am: Introduction to PE Wednesday 2pm-3pm: Evaluation and online PE tips and hints and opportunities at the University Friday 10am-12pm: Do you have any questions? 1:1 advice sessions (not mandatory to attend!) |
| Fri 4 |
We’ll be looking at the what, why and how of public engagement and introducing researchers to some of the ways to plan an effective public engagement project. Topics: • The what: definitions of public engagement, who are the public, what activities count as engagement, what are the goals? • The why: University commitment to PE, REF, Funders • The how: the Logic Model approach to planning PE, practical considerations, moving engagement online and opportunities at the University. Course structure: Monday 10am-11am: Introduction to PE Wednesday 2pm-3pm: Evaluation and online PE tips and hints and opportunities at the University Friday 10am-12pm: Do you have any questions? 1:1 advice sessions (not mandatory to attend!) |
| Mon 7 |
This introductory course is intended for researchers interested in creating a project website to engage the public with their research. The course will cover start-up, design, management and promotion of project websites, sharing best practice and practical advice on aspects such as: • setting website aims and planning the basics • choosing and dealing with web developers and partners • using content management systems and repositories • making websites discoverable, compatible, user-friendly and inclusive • securing long-term sustainability • presenting and sharing research data through visualisation, georeferencing and data wrangling • engaging the public through crowdsourcing • dealing with website copyrights and ethical issues • creating awareness of, and increasing traffic to, websites via associated social media channels. • evaluating audience reach and engagement. |
| Wed 9 |
This introductory course is intended for researchers interested in creating a project website to engage the public with their research. The course will cover start-up, design, management and promotion of project websites, sharing best practice and practical advice on aspects such as: • setting website aims and planning the basics • choosing and dealing with web developers and partners • using content management systems and repositories • making websites discoverable, compatible, user-friendly and inclusive • securing long-term sustainability • presenting and sharing research data through visualisation, georeferencing and data wrangling • engaging the public through crowdsourcing • dealing with website copyrights and ethical issues • creating awareness of, and increasing traffic to, websites via associated social media channels. • evaluating audience reach and engagement. |