Science Communication for a Better Planet (Taught)

Global climate and biodiversity crises, the COVID-19 pandemic, net zero emissions targets, and moves to restore and rewild the environment have put scientific evidence at the very centre of policymaking, economics and social behaviour.

Collaboration towards a better future for our planet depends on political engagement and understanding, public trust and scientific literacy, and robust challenges to fake news and misuse of data. Science communication has never had a more important role to play in empowering people to become agents of positive change at this critical time.

This programme will train you up in a wide range of science communication techniques, including:

• natural history filmmaking

• radio broadcast

• podcast creation

• social media content creation

• print journalism

• working with schools in outreach programmes

• briefing politicians

• event organisation.

Units will be delivered by world-leading experts across the biological sciences and communications fields, all who are passionate about their research areas and the power of scientific communication. You will also work with professional communicators and life coaches to build personal resilience and develop skills in teamwork, empathy, listening, widening participation and peer review.

You will build your own portfolio of communication outputs throughout the year, so you’ll finish with a suite of examples of your work for future employers. You will be supported to gain work experience and professional mentoring, including through your four-month final project, which can be in Bristol, London, the rest of the UK or overseas, and will be tailored to your career aspirations.

This programme is delivered by the School of Biological Sciences, so you will be based in the stunning Life Sciences Building, which is designed as a green, collaborative space for enhanced learning, including a dedicated science media suite. The school is located right in the middle of the university campus in the beautiful Clifton area, so you are a few minutes from central Bristol. The city, known as ‘Green Hollywood’ with the natural history filmmaking ecosystem centred around the BBC, is also a life sciences and tech innovation hub for the south-west of the UK, providing many exciting employment opportunities.