Science communication training
Communicating Science for Impact is a science communication course for researchers who want to learn to communicate with skill and confidence.
Why learn about science communication?
Learning to effectively communicate about your research to the right people, at the right times and in the right ways, ensures that science has impact beyond academia. Effective science communication helps support positive changes in policy, practice, and behaviour.
How it works
We offer training for groups and individuals.
Science communication training for groups: We run facilitated courses for specialist groups of 10 people or more. Students get hands-on experience applying their science communication skills in an interactive and supportive learning environment. Download the course prospectus for groups
Science communication training for individuals: We offer self-paced learning for individual students combined with instructor support over Zoom so that students receive feedback on the development of a communication product with real-world value. Download the course prospectus for individuals.
Meet the instructors
Brendon Bosworth and Tali Hoffman
Senior instructor
Brendon Bosworth
Brendon Bosworth believes that academic research needs to be paired with a softer, more human approach that relies on the power of storytelling to bring science to life. Brendon is the founder of Human Element Communications and has over 10 years experience as a journalist, editor, and communicator with a focus on urbanisation, climate change, and development. He has worked with organisations including the African Centre for Cities and African Climate and Development Initiative (both at the University of Cape Town), UN-Habitat, and Kenya's Deepening Democracy Programme. His work inside and outside of research institutions has allowed him to identify the challenges and opportunities for creating better synergies between researchers and non-specialist audiences.
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Senior instructor
Tali Hoffman
With a PhD in Zoology Tali Hoffman is able to understand and interpret the technical details and complexity of a wide range of scientific disciplines. Through a decade of working as a science communicator with clients such as the African Climate and Development Initiative, the Cape Leopard Trust, the Future Water Institute, the Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, and the Neuroscience Institute, she has also honed her abilities to make that science more relatable and accessible to diverse audiences. Tali is as confident communicating science in the spotlight – on television, on the radio and in public speaking fora – as she is developing professional and cost-effective communication products. Her passion for teaching and experience as a trainer allows her to successfully help others to build their capacities in these same areas.
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What students say
"Informative. Imparts skills to enrich your writing."
"I really enjoyed the course. I got to learn different things that will be invaluable in my writing for different audiences. It was also great to learn from the rest of the Mineral Law in Africa (MLiA) group. I would recommend the course because it is very informative and imparts skills to enrich your writing."
"Well structured and slick"
"This course is an excellent sci-comm 101. It gives a great introduction to essential communication strategies and tools for everyone from science students to tenured professors to science practitioners. The course is well-structured, slick, beautifully produced, and easy-to-follow, and the enthusiastic instructors will make you want to keep watching. Whether you are looking to make sense of the sci-comm landscape, need tools and strategies to interact with the media when your research suddenly turns out to be controversial, or are looking to make your work more impactful and understandable to decision makers and the public, this course is for you. It will leave you feeling empowered, emboldened by a treasure trove of strategies and resources to return to again and again as you use your newfound knowledge to make a difference in the world."
"Helped strengthen my communication techniques and strategies"
"It was the best communication course l have ever attended. It helped me to
strengthen my communication techniques and strategies and also to
understand my audience. The course is well structured and informative."
"The ability to communicate science can make the difference between having an average and an exceptional scientific career, both in terms of raising funds and creating on-the-ground impact. Tali and Brendon make the principles fun and accessible, using real-world examples from their work as science communicators. I would highly recommend the course to anyone who wants to improve the reach and relevance of their scientific findings."
Organizations we've worked with
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