General information
General information
IntroductionThis online course aims to enable you to develop practical skills to confidently engage with the media and effectively communicate your research and professional work. Although relevant to anyone wishing to improve their science communication, the course is most relevant to those working on science relating to the Nile Basin. It uses examples and case studies specifically relevant to those working in the Nile Basin and takes account of the particular sensitivities around communicating science in this area.
For whom?Natural, applied and social scientists – including PhD students – carrying out research and programme implementation on the Nile Basin, whether based in the region or elsewhere.
Dates and FeeStart: 22 October 2018
End: 1 February 2019
Deadline for application: 19 October 2018
Course fee: Free
Learning objectivesUpon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:- explain how the media works and,
- communicate their research and work in the Nile Basin effectively to journalists.
Course contentModule 1: The media landscape
Module 2: How to work with the media
Module 3: Making water science interesting to journalists and their audiences
Module 4: Simplifying your science
Module 5: Dealing with numbers and statistics
Module 6: Preparing media statements and press releases
Module 7: How to talk to the press
Module 8: Designing and implementing a research communication strategy
Working method
This is an online, self-directed course, with moderation and feedback provided both by peers in the online environment and by Dr Charles Wendo (Training Coordinator at SciDev.Net), an experienced science journalist and media trainer, who holds a master’s degree in journalism and communication, a postgraduate diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. In addition, one exercise will provide participants with comment and feedback from professional journalists working in the field.
This course is expected to take 10-16 hours to complete. A limited number of places are available and will be allocated on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis. A certificate of completion will be issued to participants who successfully complete the course.
Registration and EnquiriesRegister your interest by emailing a short overview of your work, and how you think this course could positively impact it to: Amel Azab, Nile Basin Capacity Building Network, a_azab@nbcbn.net
For general curriculum questions contact Charles Wendo, Training Coordinator at SciDev.Net, charles.wendo@scidev.net
For all other course inquiries contact Emanuele Fantini, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, e.fantini@un-ihe.org
ReferencesThis course is offered by the project “Open Water Diplomacy. Media, Science and Transboundary Cooperation in the Nile basin”, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Global Partnership for Water and Development, and implemented by IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, SciDev.Net, Nile Basin Capacity Building Network, Water Journalists Africa and the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.