Communicating Science

Duration

10h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Yaël Nazé

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Today, the scientist can not stay out-of-reach. First, (s)he must try to motivate young people to undertake science studies, in order to avoid the predicted shortage of scientists in the years to come. Moreover, every project, notably at the European level, must include an outreach part, to inform all citizens of the use of public money. Finally, a good communication of science helps in fighting obscurantism and promoting research policies. It should also be noted that many current debate sactually concern scientific matters (GMOs, cloning, climate change) : only well informed citizens can really discuss these questions, and shape the future policies.
Communicating science is therefore very important, but it should not be improvised. The goal of this course is to prepare scientists to communicate. It will begin by a presentation of the stakes of such an activity, and of the means to do so. The University services that can help scientists in the diffusion of science will be presented. The course will continue with practical examples : written and oral communication, towards the media, the general public, and the schools. As nothing replaces experience, quite some time will be left in the course for applying the learned skills.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course provides the bases of the communication of Science and Techniques. It contains a theoretical part of the aims and stakes of that domain, as well as numerous practical examples. The learned skills will permit the students to undertake a better outreach and will in fact also help the students for any communication exercise, including towards the peers.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Scientific cursus. Students in human sciences are indeed welcome to participate. Experience shows that having worked at least one year on his/her PhD thesis eases learning.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

On a subject of their choice, linked to the domain of their PhD, the students will prepare a talk (10m) and a short popular article (2p - voir exemples sur http://reflexions.ulg.ac.be/cms/c_349101/coin-des-doctorants-communiquer-la-science) that should be accessible to the general public. They will also try their media skills by writing a press release (1p) and answering an interview. Finally, they will participate to the "Printemps des Sciences" (or to any school animation) as a member of their department team, in order to be confronted to schools.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

5 theoretical lessons of 2h, 5 exercises of 2h.

Recommended or required readings

A copy of the slide show, together with a few notes, will be provided to the students.

Assessment methods and criteria

the students will be evaluated throughout the year, on the basis of the exercises.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Lessons are taught in January-February. To maximize the individual pedagogical return, only 20 students can be accepted for one session. Early registration is possible.

Contacts

Yaël Nazé, 04 366 97 20, office #2/12 of Bat B5C (Astrophysics & Geophysics), naze@astro.ulg.ac.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Theoretical lessons have been taught before the confinement. Amongst exercises, two (press release, radio interview) have been done before the confinement too. Outreach article is always done remotely and outreach talk will be done by videoconf. Since schools are closed, the animation exercise will not be required this year.

Assessment subjects

The full course has been taught before the confinement, so the evaluated course content does not change.

Assessment methods

Four exercises rather than five (since school animation cannot be done).

Contacts

ynaze@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

as in June

Assessment methods

as in June

Contacts

as in June

Items online