Training for Researchers and DPhil Students

Our public engagement with research training sessions are free and designed 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) in both the MPLS and Medical Sciences Divisions. 

Sessions are available to book from 0th Week of Michaelmas term via the Training pages.

ONLINE INTRO TO Public engagement with research

 Click here to take a look at our online course. You can complete this in your own time and at your own pace.

Getting Started in Public Engagement with Research

Engagement describes the ways in which we can share our research and its value by interacting with wider public audiences, generating mutual benefit.

In this introductory session tailored to those new to engagement, 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, and provide tips on getting started and where to get support.

Michaelmas: Thursday 24th October 2024 2-3pm, Online

Hilary: Thursday 30th January 2025 2-3pm Online

Trinity: Thursday 19th June 2025 11am-12pm Online

Ideas to Action: Effective Public Engagement with Research

Ready to bring your engagement idea to life? This 3-hour session is tailored to those looking to explore evidence-based strategies for designing activities/events, apply for PER funding, or get practical tips for organising an activity.

Michaelmas: Thursday 31st October 2024 1-4pm Online

Hilary: Thursday 6th February 2025 1-4pm Online

Trinity: Thursday 12th June 2025 1-4pm Online

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.

Michaelmas: Thursday 14th November 2024 10am-4pm In person

Hilary: Thursday 13th February 2025 10am-4pm In person

Trinity: Thursday 15th May 10am-1pm Online

Putting stories to work

This builds on the introductory workshop (Telling Stories that Matter) and introduces new elements of great storytelling including metaphor, clarity and message. This highly interactive workshop will be based around an example of writing a explainer or news article for the wider, non-specialist public website (though the lessons can be applied to any communication context).

It is highly recommended that you will have already attended the introductory workshop (Telling Stories That Matter), or equivalent introductory workshops on storytelling. Brief reading material will be provided to ensure you are up to date with the fundamentals of storytelling that are the basis of this workshop.

Michaelmas: Thursday 28th November 2024 10am-1pm Online

Hilary: Thursday 13th March 2025 10am-1pm Online

Trinity: Thursday 29th May 10am-1pm Online

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.

Michaelmas: Thursday 17th October 2024 9:30am-4:30pm In person

Hilary: Thursday 20th February 2025 9:30am-12:30pm Online

Trinity: Thursday 12th June 9:30-4:30 In person

Interviewing for Podcasts

You are behind the mic, ready to record your first podcast ... but wait! What do you ask? This hands-on training session helps you navigate the world of podcast interviews. The session will cover preparing for interviews, creating a question line, finding your authentic voice and active listening.

Participants will be paired up and asked to conduct short interviews with a fellow participant which will be recorded over Zoom. As a group we'll listen back to them and workshop the interviews for constructive feedback.

This course is aimed at anyone looking at working on interviewing skills as a presenter but is also useful to those asked to be a guest on a podcast.

Attendance on the 'Podcast Your Science' session might be useful but is not a requirement to attend this session.

Michaelmas: Thursday 5th December 2024 9:30-12:30pm Online

Hilary: Thursday 6th March 2025 9:30-12:30pm Online

Trinity: Thursday 5th June 9:30-12:30pm Online

Hands-on Science ENGAGEMENT

Dive into the world of experiential learning with our immersive course, 'Hands-On Science.' This program is designed to equip you with the practical skills and insights needed to effectively communicate your research through engaging desktop activities.

Uncover the art of facilitating interactive science demonstrations that captivate and educate. Learn the pivotal elements of event design and planning specifically tailored for public engagement activities. By the end of this course, you'll not only have a repertoire of engaging activities at your disposal, but you'll also possess the skills to thoughtfully design, execute, and adapt events that leave lasting impressions.

Michaelmas: Thursday 7th November 2024 1-4pm In person

Hilary: Thursday 27th February 2025 1-4pm In person

Trinity: Thursday 8th May 2025 1-4pm In person

Engaging with Controversial and Sensitive Topics

Engaging with sensitive or controversial topics in research requires a thoughtful and strategic approach, especially when communicating with diverse audience groups.

In this interactive online session, Science Communicator Hana Ayoob will take us through the importance of engaging with these topics, aiming to equip researchers with the skills and knowledge to engage confidently in an empathetic and effective way.

This session is relevant to scientists across the sciences, and will explore topics ranging from the use of animals in research, to nuclear power, and topics arising from your research area.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be well-prepared to engage with sensitivity and confidence on controversial topics, contributing to a more inclusive and informed public discourse within their respective fields.

Hilary: Tuesday 18 February 2025 1-3.30pm

Three Minute Thesis Competition

An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present; how about in just 3 minutes with the aid of a single slide?

Each year we invite DPhil students to take part in the competition. There is training and guidance provided. Winners and runners up receive prizes.

For more information, visit the 3MT webpage.

Booking

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

Training from around the University