Inter-Professional Science Education & Communication
Background
This programme is tightly associated with one of the Research Groups in the School of Education: Interdisciplinary Science Education, Technologies and Learning. It profits from this association by being able to offer strong input on a range of relevant topics from philosophy of science, through science education to practical science communication and staff are actively involved in research in these areas.
In previous years, students have attended workshops organised in collaboration with other local universities at the Glasgow Science Centre, with contributions offered by participants including Heather Reid (aka ‘Heather the Weather’) and journalists and editors from the media, e.g. The Herald.
The programme has an excellent working relationship with colleagues at the Glasgow Science Centre, the STEM Ambassadors at Science Connects, as well as colleagues in the Colleges of Science and Engineering and Biomedical and Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow.
Who is this programme for?
This programme caters for the needs of everyone who has an interest in enhancing their knowledge and skills to become an effective teacher or communicator of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This includes teachers and lecturers, science centre and museum staff, professional scientists, and those involved in the media.
Previous students have come from a wide range of countries including Thailand, the United States, Greece and Pakistan, as well as Scotland.
What will you get from this programme?
This programme aims to provide you with:
- Understanding of the political, philosophical and social issues related to science education and communication.
- Confidence in communicating science using a range of techniques associated with effective science communication in a variety of contexts.
- Opportunities to practise science communication techniques appropriate for a variety of audiences.
- The possibility of learning about exciting developments in your particular scientific discipline.
Introductory reading
If you have a chance to do some reading before beginning your programme, any one or more of the following books will be useful as background:-
Holliman, R., Whitelegg, E., Scanlon, E., Smidt, S., and Thomas, J., editors (2008). Investigating Science Communication in the Information Age: Implications for Public Engagement and Popular Media (Communicating Science in the Information Age). Oxford University Press, USA.
Holliman, R., Thomas, J., Smidt, S., Scanlon, E., and Whitelegg, E., editors (2009). Practising Science Communication in the Information Age: Theorising Professional Practices. Oxford University Press, USA.