Public engagement training
Guidance on training resources from the University of Dundee and external providers.
Training at the University of Dundee
Here you can find a list of all Engagement and Impact training provided by Talent and Development at the University of Dundee.
Bespoke training can also be delivered in collaboration with public engagement professionals at the University. If you can't find the course you're looking for please contact Jon Urch to discuss the options available. Requests for bespoke training should normally be received at least two months in advance.
External providers
Many UK organisations offer communication or media training to the research community.
| Organisation | Course Title | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
| The Royal Society | An Introduction to Public Engagement | This course is for scientists with little or no experience in public engagement and is designed to give you the confidence and skills required to get started. Places are open to all researchers and are free to Royal Society grant holders. |
| The Royal Society | Public Engagement in Practice | This course is for scientists with some experience in public engagement and is designed to help you create relevant, meaningful and effective engagement. Places are open to all researchers and are free to Royal Society grant holders. |
| The Royal Society | Engaging with Schools | A one-day course for scientists with some experience in public engagement and is designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to deliver engagement activities in schools. Places are open to all researchers and are free to Royal Society grant holders. |
| The Royal Society | Media Skills Training | This one-day course develops skills in working with television, radio, newspapers and other media. Places are open to all researchers and are free to Royal Society grant holders. |
| Royal Society of Edinburgh and SFC | Scottish Crucible | The scheme enables 30 talented researchers from a variety of disciplines to come together to explore and expand their creative capacity and problem solving potential. |
| Wellcome Trust | Public Engagement Masterclass | The Wellcome Trust run an annual Public Engagement Masterclass in partnership with the Wellcome Genome Campus. This is for new principal investigators and other mid-career researchers from all disciplines. |
A good summary of training opportunities can also be found on National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement web site.
Fellowships
The AHRC funds research, development and engagement fellows ships for early career researchers and mid-stage to established researchers. It also provides the opportunity to develop capabilities as research specialists and to undertake innovative and collaborative development activities.
Other research councils and organisations also run their own public engagement and media fellowships;
- AHRC - Next Generation of Thinkers is a career development scheme for early career researchers to develop their media skills and get their research in front of the general public
- STFC Leadership Fellows in Public Engagement
- British Science Association Media Fellowships
If you are a researcher working in a science area then the British Science Association has a good summary of media training and fellowships for scientists on its own web site.
Policy fellowships
Learning how political organisations and government institutions will help you understand how to transition your research in to policy.
The Scottish Parliament Academic Fellowship Scheme is managed and hosted by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). The Fellowships allow academics to work on projects with the Parliament to scrutinise legislation and for researchers to engage with the Parliament, its clerks and researchers.
Each year 30 research scientists are paired with Westminster MPs and civil servants. They learn about each other’s work by spending time together in Westminster and the researcher’s institutions. Find out more about the Royal Society's Pairing Scheme.