Science Communication and Public Engagement

1. Introduction to science communication and public engagement: The growing role of science communication for universities and research organizations, the main actors and topics of science communication; Goals, target groups and formats; participatory science communication and public engagement
2. Learn the practical aspects by developing your own format of science communication: Specify content, define target group/personas and design a digital format or event. We will work with practitioners and follow the new TUM format prototyping handbook that was developed during the last semester.

After the successful completion of the class „Science communication and Public Engagement“, the students understand the basic concepts of science communication. They have an overview of media, platforms and formats and understand how to address specific target groups. They know the basic concepts of digital format prototyping and have themselves developed a new format.

The module examination is a presentation which is supplemented by a short written elaboration. The presentation consists of an individual or group presentation on a new format idea in the field of science communication. With the presentation (approx. 20 minutes) and discussions in the classroom the students demonstrate that they understand the practical aspects of format prototyping for science communication and public engagement as well as that they have grasped the major concepts and can explain them and react to questions. With the written summary (1-2 pages) of the presentation, students show that they are able to present the concept they have developed for the presentation in a structured and comprehensible way.

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• Göpfert Winfried, Wissenschafts-Journalismus: ein Handbuch für Ausbildung und Praxis, 6., überarbeitete und aktualisierte Auflage, 2019, https://doi-org.eaccess.tum.edu/10.1007/978-3-658-17884-0 Meredith, Dennis, Explaining Research: How to Reach Key Audiences to Advance Your Network, 2nd edn (2021; online edn, Oxford Academic, 19 Aug. 2021), https://doi-org.eaccess.tum.edu/10.1093/oso/9780197571316.001.0001, accessed 10 Mar. 2024. Bertemes, Jean Paul, Haan Serge and Hans, Dirk. 50 Essentials on Science Communication, Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton, 2024 https://doi-org.eaccess.tum.edu/10.1515/9783110763577

The module consists of a seminar with integrated exercises. Together with digital format experts the students will develop a format prototyping manual. With the help of the manual, they will develop and propose own ideas which can cover a broad range of media formats (videos, podcasts, social media channels etc.) and public engagement formats (slams, festivals, citizen science, etc.). By presenting these format ideas, the students will train to talk and reflect about specific methods of science communication. In class discussions they will broaden their knowledge on communicating science in an increasingly fragmented media world.