Science Communication from edX

This course explains why science communication is important and what it looks like in practice. It also teaches you the basic concepts and fundamental skills you need to master science communication yourself. The course explores research-based, practical ideas and inspiring stories from the field based on conversations with over fifty expert interviewees worldwide, including best-selling popular science authors and leading science communication researchers. Our list of over 50 distinguished experts includes:

* Prof. Neil Shubin, paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and author of Your Inner Fish

* Dr. Simon Singh, physicist, and author of Fermat's Last Theorem

* Clare Matterson, Former Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum, London

* Prof. Bruce Lewenstein, an early member of the science communication scholarly community and former editor of Public Understanding of Science

* Prof. Baruch Fischhoff, a world-renowned authority on risk communication and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and

* Dr. Keren Landsman, physician-epidemiologist and author of fantasy novel The Heart of the Circle

Who would benefit from this course?

* scientists, STEM professionals, and graduate students in STEM and science communication;

* teachers and informal science educators;

* science communicators, including journalists, public information officers, museum curators, and other content producers;

* anyone seeking to develop their science communication skillset to advance their career; and

* anyone interested in the relationship between science and society in the 21st century.

After completing the readings, watching over 20 hours of video, and working on your assignments – including your very own interview with a scientist – you will be well on your way to becoming an effective science communicator. If you are interested in advancing your career, you'll have a portfolio to showcase your skills in science communication upon completing the course.

The online learning modules were developed following a course taught for over a decade at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology by Professor Ayelet Baram-Tsabari.

What's inside

Learning objectives

* how to communicate research clearly and in an engaging manner
* dialog, listening storytelling, and creative writing
* how to engage the public through citizen science and community science

* how to communicate effectively with journalists, decision-makers, and the public
Incorporating contemporary science in the classroom and informal learning environments

* how to communicate research clearly and in an engaging manner
* dialog, listening storytelling, and creative writing
* how to engage the public through citizen science and community science
* how to communicate effectively with journalists, decision-makers, and the public
Incorporating contemporary science in the classroom and informal learning environments

Syllabus

1. What is science communication and why is it important?

2. Why and how do scientists communicate with the public?

3. How do we turn science into news?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops essential skills for effective science communication, including dialog, storytelling, and creative writing

Provides practical guidance on engaging the public through citizen science and community science

Explores diverse perspectives on science communication, including its role in public debate and decision-making

Examines the changing landscape of science communication in the 21st century, including the emergence of new media and technologies

Incorporates contemporary science in the classroom and informal learning environments, providing insights for teachers and educators

Provides a strong foundation for beginners in science communication, building a comprehensive understanding of the field

Reviews summary

Comprehensive science communication with expert insights

According to learners, this Science Communication course is a highly valuable and comprehensive resource for anyone looking to bridge the gap between science and the public. Students particularly highlight the course's unique access to insights from over 50 distinguished experts, which provides a rich, real-world perspective. The course content, including its extensive video lectures and engaging assignments like interviewing a scientist, is designed to build practical communication skills and offers a substantial portfolio piece for career advancement. While the curriculum is broad and covers diverse topics, some learners might find the significant time commitment a consideration.

Provides a strong basis for further specialized learning.

"This course is an excellent starting point for anyone new to science communication, just like me."

"I feel it gave me a solid groundwork to explore more advanced topics later in my career."

"It's a great introduction, covering all the essential concepts and skills needed in this field."

Offers a wide-ranging exploration of science communication.

"I found the syllabus comprehensive, covering everything from public engagement to diversity and inclusion in science communication."

"I gained a holistic understanding of how science interacts with society in various contexts, which was very valuable."

"For me, it provided a strong foundational understanding across multiple facets of science communication."

Equips learners with applicable communication skills.

"The assignments, especially the scientist interview, gave me practical experience I can immediately use in my field."

"I appreciate that this course helped me build a portfolio, which is essential for advancing my career."

"It truly taught me how to turn complex research into engaging stories and effectively communicate with journalists."

Features invaluable insights from global experts.

"I found the interviews with leading experts incredibly insightful, bringing real-world depth to the topics discussed."

"Hearing directly from professionals like Neil Shubin and Simon Singh was truly inspiring and eye-opening for me."

"I appreciated the diverse range of perspectives from over 50 experts, making the content highly credible and engaging."

Requires considerable time for videos, readings, and assignments.

"I would advise future students to be prepared for the extensive video content and substantial readings; it's a significant time investment."

"The assignment to interview a scientist was rewarding, but I found it quite time-consuming to arrange and execute."

"While comprehensive, I felt the course demanded significant dedication to complete all modules and assignments thoroughly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Science Communication with these activities:

Watch videos and read articles about science communication best practices

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Learn from the experts about how to communicate science effectively.

Browse courses on Science Writing

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Find videos and articles about science communication best practices
Watch and read the materials
Take notes on the key points

Volunteer with a science communication organization

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Gain hands-on experience in science communication and make a difference in your community.

Browse courses on Science Outreach

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Find a science communication organization
Contact the organization and express your interest in volunteering
Attend a volunteer training session
Volunteer at a science communication event

Attend a science communication conference or workshop

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Connect with other science communicators and learn about the latest trends in the field.

Browse courses on Networking

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Find a science communication conference or workshop
Register for the event
Attend the event
Network with other attendees

Four other activities

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Practice writing science stories for different audiences

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Improve your ability to communicate science in a clear and engaging way.

Browse courses on Science Writing

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Choose a topic
Research your topic
Write your story
Edit and proofread your story
Share your story with others

Write a blog post about your favorite science communication technique

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Develop your writing skills and share your knowledge of science communication with others.

Browse courses on Science Writing

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Choose a topic
Research your topic
Write your blog post
Edit and proofread your post
Publish your post

Design a science communication campaign for a local non-profit organization

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Apply your knowledge of science communication to create a real-world campaign that will engage the public with science.

Browse courses on Science Outreach

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Identify your target audience
Develop your message
Choose the right communication channels
Create your campaign materials
Evaluate your campaign

Review 'Your Inner Fish' by Neil Shubin

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Learn about the evolution of life on earth and how we are connected to all living things.

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Read the book
Take notes on the main ideas
Write a summary of the book

Career center

Learners who complete Science Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Science Communicator

Science communicators use various methods to engage the public with science and technology. They may work in museums, science centers, or other educational settings. This course can help science communicators learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for engaging the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Communicator

Science Journalist

Science journalists report on scientific discoveries and developments for the general public. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course can help science journalists learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for engaging the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Journalist

Science Writer

Science writers are storytellers who translate complex scientific discoveries into clear and engaging content for a general audience. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course can help science writers develop the skills they need to communicate science effectively to the public and build a portfolio to showcase their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Science Outreach Specialist

Science outreach specialists develop and implement programs to engage the public with science. They may work for museums, science centers, or other educational settings. This course can help science outreach specialists learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for engaging the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Outreach Specialist

Science Advocate

Science advocates promote the value of science and scientific research. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other organizations. This course can help science advocates learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating the importance of science to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Advocate

Science Policy Advisor

Science policy advisors provide scientific advice to policymakers. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or other organizations. This course can help science policy advisors learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating science to policymakers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Advisor

Science Public Relations Specialist

Science public relations specialists promote the public image of scientific organizations. They may work for universities, research institutions, or other organizations. This course can help science public relations specialists learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating science to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Public Relations Specialist

Science Educator

Science educators teach science concepts to students of all ages. They may work in schools, museums, or other educational settings. This course can help science educators learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for engaging students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Educator

Museum curator

Museum curators are responsible for the care and interpretation of museum collections. They may work in museums, science centers, or other cultural institutions. This course can help museum curators learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for engaging the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Health Communicator

Health communicators develop and implement communication campaigns to promote health and wellness. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other organizations. This course can help health communicators learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating health information to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Communicator

Environmental Communicator

Environmental communicators develop and implement communication campaigns to promote environmental protection. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other organizations. This course can help environmental communicators learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating environmental information to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Communicator

Risk Communicator

Risk communicators help people understand and manage risks. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other organizations. This course can help risk communicators learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating risk information to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Communicator

Science Librarian

Science librarians help people find and use scientific information. They may work in libraries, universities, or other organizations. This course can help science librarians learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating science to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Librarian

Data Journalist

Data journalists use data to tell stories. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other media outlets. This course can help data journalists learn effective science communication techniques and strategies for communicating data to the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Journalist

Technical Writer

Technical writers create content that explains complex technical information to a specific target audience that may not have a technical background. Those in this role understand the importance of translating complex terms and concepts into clear and easy-to-understand language, which is a critical component in the field of science communication. This course can help build a foundation for technical writers by teaching the principles of effective science communication.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer