Explaining science and communicating hazards for the public with science journalist Vedrana Simičević - Session 1

In order to meet the diverse needs of researchers who want to engage in science communication, the EGU Outreach Committee are sponsoring three workshop series’ covering communicating hazards and science, using video storytelling to communicate and how to talk to policymakers and the public. This workshop series will take place on 14, 21, and 28 October, 15:00-17:00 CET. 

These three courses cover very different aspects of science communication, so read our condensed descriptions below before you make your selection. If you want more information please email the EGU Outreach Committee.

This workshop series aims to educate scientists on how to efficiently simplify and explain research findings and complex scientific phenomena to the non-expert public and the media. Participants will learn how much needs to be explained for a different type of audience, how detailed the explanations need to be depending on the situation, how to shape the most important data into short explanations and quotes and how to connect more efficiently with the audience. This series will also address the specific challenge of communicating science at the heart of sensitive public issues that tend to be more prone to misinformation. People process explanations differently when the idea of risk is involved, which needs to be taken into consideration while addressing the public. Participants will get tips on the best communication strategies in this type of situation and how to prevent their words from being taken out of context while discussing hazards, probabilities, forecasts, models or consequences of climate change in the media.

Session 1, presented by science journalist Vedrana Simičević, will focus on:

• what the public and media usually want to know about scientific findings; 
• reasons behind the misinterpretation of science in the media; 
• examples of inadequate communication; 
• tips for more efficient collaboration with the media.

Register for this online event here.

If you have any questions about ‘Explaining science and communicating hazards for the public with science journalist Vedrana Simičević - Session 1’, please contact us via webinars@egu.eu.