Training in science communication, engagement and media for scientists

We offer a range of training in media, communication, engagement and presentations for all researchers from early-career to research leaders:

To book a forum, short workshop or one-on-one coaching, please contact us.
We’d love to help you build your skills and confidence.

Some recent feedback:

Sarah is an excellent communicator. I usually find it difficult to engage in a full day's course, but I did not feel that way at this course.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Science In Public
2020-01-28T14:37:41+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Sarah is an excellent communicator. I usually find it difficult to engage in a full day's course, but I did not feel that way at this course.
Really liked the way you trained everyone on their field to help them on their research and how they can maximise it.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Science In Public
2020-01-28T14:48:26+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Really liked the way you trained everyone on their field to help them on their research and how they can maximise it.
I think we should receive this kind of training since graduate studies.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Science In Public
2020-01-28T14:55:33+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

I think we should receive this kind of training since graduate studies.
Well presented & great format

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Science In Public
2020-01-28T15:03:20+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Well presented & great format
Sarah's structure of the course, specific insight and understanding of science, her contacts and common mistakes made in communication were great and furthered my skills in this area.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Science In Public
2020-01-28T15:04:28+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Sarah's structure of the course, specific insight and understanding of science, her contacts and common mistakes made in communication were great and furthered my skills in this area.
This is one of the best science communication courses I have ever encountered. It teaches all research to think out of box and really simplify their research in lay man's language. I will highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about science communication.
Shwathy Ramesh
Science In Public
2020-02-24T09:29:55+11:00
Shwathy Ramesh
This is one of the best science communication courses I have ever encountered. It teaches all research to think out of box and really simplify their research in lay man's language. I will highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about science communication.
Sufficient time given to work one-on-one with each participant. TV, radio and newspaper given sufficient weight. Practical, informative and professional

Anonymous - Gold Coast May 2021

Science In Public
2022-09-05T12:59:42+10:00

Anonymous - Gold Coast May 2021

Sufficient time given to work one-on-one with each participant. TV, radio and newspaper given sufficient weight. Practical, informative and professional
Practice interviews under pressure are an excellent method of learning.

Anonymous - Melbourne June 2021

Science In Public
2022-09-05T12:58:40+10:00

Anonymous - Melbourne June 2021

Practice interviews under pressure are an excellent method of learning.
Learnt about to really think what success looks like for us. To drill down more on the outcome we want.

Anonymous - online May 2021

Science In Public
2022-09-05T12:58:02+10:00

Anonymous - online May 2021

Learnt about to really think what success looks like for us. To drill down more on the outcome we want.
Good mix in terms of topics covered, people invited and media coverage. This course will make me more comfortable and I believe it will improve my confidence about myself and how I talk about my work in front of media.

FEnEX CRC, December 2021

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:01:49+10:00

FEnEX CRC, December 2021

Good mix in terms of topics covered, people invited and media coverage. This course will make me more comfortable and I believe it will improve my confidence about myself and how I talk about my work in front of media.
Sarah is an amazing instructor. She has looked after each of the participants very well. I really like her style. Thank you to all team for a valuable training session.

Seyhan Yazar, Garvan Institute of Medical Reseearch

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:02:58+10:00

Seyhan Yazar, Garvan Institute of Medical Reseearch

Sarah is an amazing instructor. She has looked after each of the participants very well. I really like her style. Thank you to all team for a valuable training session.
I genuinely feel like I learnt a lot today, so thank you! The many examples you gave in the presentations were really informative

Anonymous, April 2022

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:03:42+10:00

Anonymous, April 2022

I genuinely feel like I learnt a lot today, so thank you! The many examples you gave in the presentations were really informative
This was truly a wonderful course. I am inspired by how seamlessly and professionally the course was delivered.

Anonymous, June 2022

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:04:21+10:00

Anonymous, June 2022

This was truly a wonderful course. I am inspired by how seamlessly and professionally the course was delivered.
It was awesome, you really smashed it – most trainings are only moderately useful, but this one stood out. Thanks again and keep the good work up!

Steve Klose, 2022

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:05:30+10:00

Steve Klose, 2022

It was awesome, you really smashed it – most trainings are only moderately useful, but this one stood out. Thanks again and keep the good work up!
Pushed me to finesse/develop a pitch, find an edge that will facilitate communicating my research findings. The real world experience/opportunity for interviews was exceptionally helpful

Megan Bater

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:06:38+10:00

Megan Bater

Pushed me to finesse/develop a pitch, find an edge that will facilitate communicating my research findings. The real world experience/opportunity for interviews was exceptionally helpful
The day was a great balance of topics and presented in an approachable and friendly style that was very inclusive. It was a fantastic and informative session that will really help me day-to-day in the communications work I do.

Ben Westmoreland, 2022

Science In Public
2022-09-05T13:07:28+10:00

Ben Westmoreland, 2022

The day was a great balance of topics and presented in an approachable and friendly style that was very inclusive. It was a fantastic and informative session that will really help me day-to-day in the communications work I do.
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Science In Public

Read more about our training on offer below.


Media and communication training

Practice interviews. Develop key messages. Prep for tricky questions. Ensure your research is reported accurately.

Our media and communication masterclass will help you find the story in your research and learn how to achieve media coverage that is true to your science AND engages your audience.

This workshop is over one full day on-site, or can be modified for online delivery over two half days.

Working journalists from television, print and radio join us to explain what makes news for them. You will get the chance to ask questions and to be interviewed by journalists, get feedback and practical advice.

Our media training stands apart from most corporate training which tends to be adversarial. We focus on making the scientist and their work shine for the media and their stakeholders.

We also help you work out how to stay out of trouble and deal with tricky questions. But mostly we focus on helping you tell a good story, free of jargon and complexity.

The course covers: television (with practice interviews); radio (with practice interviews); handling tricky questions and staying out of trouble; print and online media; developing your communication plan; social media and becoming an ‘expert’.

Forums

90-minute moderated discussions with Q&A where we bring your audience to you. These are currently delivered online for up to 100 participants.

  • Meet the press
    Guests include three working journalists from TV news, print/online and radio who discuss what they do, and what they’re looking for in stories.
  • Talking to stakeholders
    Panellists include journalists, ministerial advisers, business/innovation gurus, patient advocates, and/or social media experts—to get researchers thinking about how and why to talk with the media and other stakeholders.
  • Should you be on social?
    Should you be on social media? Hear from researchers who have built strong social media profiles. Find out how and why they started and what they’ve learnt along the way.

Short workshops

These can be stand-alone or run back-to-back with one of the forums above with a short break in between.

  • Make your pitch/presentation
    What makes a good pitch or presentation, write one, present it and receive feedback.
  • Develop your online profile
    Walk through the steps to develop a personal profile: covering websites, Twitter accounts, Facebook profiles, and other platforms. Covering why you might want a higher profile, who are your communities of interest, sharing content, and keeping out of trouble.

One-on-one mentoring and training

Know what you want and want it now? Book in for a 90-minute individual session with a science communication guru.

  • Media training
    Develop and practice your story, so you are ready for media interviews for your next discovery.
  • Presentation training
    Develop and refine an important presentation to stakeholders.
  • Communication planning for your research
    Develop a short communication plan for your research, which will help you focus your efforts on the stakeholders and audiences that you need to reach for your research to have impact.
  • Build your online profile
    Build a plan for your personal profile: covering why you might want a profile, who are your communities of interest, sharing content, keeping out of trouble, and choosing the right platforms: websites, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms.
  • Build your profile through prizes and expert comment
    Get some help identifying prizes you might apply for now and in the future and we’ll introduce you to ways you can become an expert commentator.

Presenters 

The courses will be presented by one of the following:

  • Sarah Brooker, Managing Director: Sarah has over twenty years’ experience in science communication including creating the Gene Technology Information Service for the Australian government’s industry department.
  • Niall Byrne, Creative Director: Niall managed communication for CSIRO’s high security Animal Health Laboratory for nine years before establishing Science in Public with Sarah.
  • Tanya Ha, Engagement Director: Tanya is an environmental communicator. She’s worked with Planet Ark, as a reporter for ABC Catalyst, serves on several boards, and is Vice President of Science & Technology Australia.
  • Maddy De Gabriele is a science writer and communications manager at Science in Public. Previously she worked as a senior reporter for Zoos Victoria, The Conversation and has fact-checked state elections.

Our capability

We’ve been training researchers for over a decade in media, communication and pitching skills. Recent highlights include:

  • 19 media and communication workshops in 2018 catering for about 200 people from over forty organisations including CSIRO, James Cook University, Macquarie University, Centres of Excellence, CRCs, government agencies and NGOs, including the Tobacco Free Portfolios organisation led by Bronwyn King.
  • Pitch, presentation and media training for over 600 Defence Science Technology staff.
  • Pitch and presentation training for over 50 methodological statisticians at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Training resources