SD5802 Science Communication and Public Engagement

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on the PG Cert, PG Dip, or MSc in Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice

Planned timetable

Not Applicable

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L E S Cole

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr L Cole; Dr T Mendo; Dr E Olamijuwon

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will explore theories, e.g., of social change, central to developing effective science communication and public engagement activities. At the end of this module students should be familiar with: evaluating sources of information, designing a public engagement strategy, choosing outlets (e.g., understanding the implications in content requirements between planning a social media campaign vs. writing a press release), and writing/giving interviews for journalism outlets (including press releases, radio spots, specialty magazines). The module will include, a conceptual introduction to visuals, oral presentation skills, and using social media for science communication (Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, as well as geographic-specific possibilities, e.g., Bilibili).

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

This module includes 5 1-hour synchronous tutorial sessions and at least 5 hours of pre-recorded content (e.g., lectures). Students should consider the amount of independent study time this module involves when planning their learning.

Scheduled learning hours

0

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

145

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Identify and evaluate peer-reviewed sources and grey literature from which to develop an evidence-based story;
  • Strategically select various outlets for dissemination based on message and target audience(s);
  • Produce effective written and oral communications that tell a story, e.g., writing copy for journalism outlets, such as press releases, radio spots, specialty magazines, giving an interview, creating a podcast;
  • Evaluate published visuals for communicating data and be able to select effective visuals for your communication strategy;
  • Perform basic appraisals of science communication and public engagement strategies to assess effectiveness;
  • Construct a well-crafted public engagement strategy;

SD5802 Science Communication and Public Engagement

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on the PG Cert, PG Dip, or MSc in Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice

Planned timetable

Not Applicable

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L E S Cole

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr L Cole; Dr T Mendo; Dr E Olamijuwon

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will explore theories, e.g., of social change, central to developing effective science communication and public engagement activities. At the end of this module students should be familiar with: evaluating sources of information, designing a public engagement strategy, choosing outlets (e.g., understanding the implications in content requirements between planning a social media campaign vs. writing a press release), and writing/giving interviews for journalism outlets (including press releases, radio spots, specialty magazines). The module will include, a conceptual introduction to visuals, oral presentation skills, and using social media for science communication (Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, as well as geographic-specific possibilities, e.g., Bilibili).

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

This module includes 5 1-hour synchronous tutorial sessions and at least 5 hours of pre-recorded content (e.g., lectures). Students should consider the amount of independent study time this module involves when planning their learning.

Scheduled learning hours

0

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

145

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Identify and evaluate peer-reviewed sources and grey literature from which to develop an evidence-based story;
  • Strategically select various outlets for dissemination based on message and target audience(s);
  • Produce effective written and oral communications that tell a story, e.g., writing copy for journalism outlets, such as press releases, radio spots, specialty magazines, giving an interview, creating a podcast;
  • Evaluate published visuals for communicating data and be able to select effective visuals for your communication strategy;
  • Perform basic appraisals of science communication and public engagement strategies to assess effectiveness;
  • Construct a well-crafted public engagement strategy;