MPLS Public Engagement Training Schedule Announced!
Available to all in MPLS and MSD, our courses are available throughout the academic year to support you with your public engagement skillset. This year we are launching exciting new courses.
It's that time of year again when we unveil our list of public engagement training courses for the upcoming academic year, and we’re thrilled to share some exciting changes with you all.
First and foremost, our popular podcast and storytelling sessions will be returning this year, with both in-person and online options. But that's not all! In response to the evolving needs and feedback of our community, we have made changes to our core offering, and will be delivering two new courses:
PER 101 is now….. Getting Started in Public Engagement with Research:
We are splitting the PER 101 course into two; a one-hour introduction for those completely new to PER; and another session called Ideas to Action.
Ideas to Action Session:
This 3hr session will explore getting an idea off the ground, using evidence-based strategies for engagement, and will discuss tips and tools for those organising an event/activity.
Hands-on Science Session (starting Hilary term):
Embracing the spirit of hands-on learning, this session is new addition to our training offerings. This program is designed to equip participants with the practical skills and insights needed to effectively communicate your research through engaging desktop activities.
Full details and links are available at the following link: MPLS Training
Booking will open in 0th Week of Michaelmas 2023. If you have any questions or would like to discuss these changes further, please don't hesitate to reach out to catherine.seed@mpls.ox.ac.uk .
Annual Schedule for training:
Click here to download as a tagged PDF
List of Courses for Michaelmas 2023:
Getting Started with Public Engagement with Research
26th October 10-11am (In-person)
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.
Click here for more information about Getting Started with PER (Michaelmas 2023)
Ideas to Action: Effective Public Engagement with Research
29th November 1-4pm (Online)
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.
Click here for more information on Ideas to Action (Michaelmas 2023)
Podcast your science
12th October 09:30-4:30pm (In-person)
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.
Click here for more information on Podcast your science (Michaelmas 2023)
Interviewing for podcasts
23rd November 09:30-12:30pm (Online)
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.
Click here for more information on Interviewing for Podcasts (Michaelmas 2023)
Virtual Podcasting Help-desk
7th December (Online)
Book a half hour session of individual coaching and feedback on your podcasting work, from technical tips to journalistic insight in to editing and identifying stories.
Click here for more information on the Virtual Podcasting Help-desk (Michaelmas 2023)
Telling stories that matter: communicating your research through story
9th November 10-4pm (In person)
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 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.
Click here for more information on Telling Stories that Matter (Michaelmas 2023)
Putting Stories to Work
30th November 10-1pm (Online)
This builds on the introductory workshop (Telling Stories that Matter) and introduces new elements of great storytelling including clarity, summary 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.
Click here for more information on Putting Stories to Work (Michaelmas 2023)
Narrative Skills and Storytelling one to one coaching
Book a half hour session of individual coaching and feedback on writing, presentations or any other stories from Robert Holtom, narrative coach.
Contact catherine.seed@mpls.ox.ac.uk to book