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Training for Researchers and DPhil Students

Training available to help you find out more about public engagement and develop your skills. Due to current covid-19 restrictions, our training will be delivered online until further notice.

Researchers talking to the public at the Natural History Museum

We have a number of free training courses available to help you learn about and develop your public engagement skills. Unless otherwise stated these courses are available to all (DPhil students, researchers at all levels, and professional services/support staff). 

Booking opens at the start of each term

Due to current and ongoing restrictions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, our training has moved online. Any changes to sessions are highlighted in descriptions by italicised text.


Public engagement with research 101

Engagement describes myriad ways that we can share our research and its value by interacting with wider public audiences, generating mutual benefit. We look at what public engagement is and some of the reasons why you might want to do it. We'll highlight the multitude of different approaches you can take, including real examples from the University and further afield. We'll provide tips on getting started and where to get support. Researchers will present their experiences and answer your questions.

  • 10.00-13.00 | 13 May 2021 (up the hill)

Telling stories that matter: communicating your research through story

Discover what elements of storytelling and narrative can be used to enhance a profession in the sciences. Craft compelling and moving stories from your experiences as a scientist using these key story elements: character, conflict, structure, metaphor and description. Apply these storytelling and narrative skills to working in the sciences: communicating research to a range of audiences (including publics, media and funding bodies); enhancing presentation skills; telling scientific stories across a range of media. Robert Holtom is a professional storyteller and consultant who has worked with a range of organisations to help them refine and hone their stories for a variety of audiences.

 

telling stories that matter: one-to-one coaching 

OPEN TO ATTENDEES OF 'TELLING STORIES THAT MATTER' WORKSHOPS IN FIRST INSTANCE: Book a half hour Skype session of individual coaching and feedback on your presentation/storytelling work, whether you want to develop a story for an event, practice a presentation, craft/edit a piece of written/filmed work (e.g. blog, article, vlog, video) and/or develop public speaking skills.

  • 13.00-17.00 | 02 June 2021

 Email to register for Telling Stories that Matter one-to-one coaching

Podcast your science

From inception to publication; this practical session delivered by Emily Elias, journalist and producer of the Oxford Sparks podcast series, is a whirlwind tour through the basics of how to share your research in an engaging manner through podcasting. The session will introduce approaches to podcasting, present inspiration from a range of different podcast styles, and take you step-by-step through the basic technical skills of recording, editing and publishing audio files; you’ll have the chance to develop an idea and have a go recording it with support and feedback during the day.

Podcasting one-to-one coaching sessions 

Book a half hour Skype session of individual coaching and feedback on your podcasting work, from technical tips to journalistic insight in to editing and identifying stories.

  • 13.00-17.00 | 16 Mar 2021
  • 13.00-17.00 | 22 Jun 2021

Email to book a slot for Podcasting one-to-one sessions 

Beyond Communications: effective two-way engagement

In this introductory session you will explore how to introduce opportunities to transform your public engagement in to a rich, two-way, interactive experience. Dialogue and debate are valuable approaches to move beyond communication. It can provide the means to make any informative activity more engaging for those taking park. The session will highlight examples, practical tips and provide the opportunity for you to start to develop your own ideas and plans.

 

Booking

To browse all sessions and book, visit the MPLS training and development pages.

 

Training from around the University

 

There's a range of training opportunities and resources available across the University, visit the University support pages to find out more.

The IT Learning programme includes a range of courses to help you develop your digital skills:

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