In cooperation with PROUT, for the second time, the Utrecht University Public Engagement Program organises a public engagement course especially for PhD students in Utrecht. The course is open to PhD-students from all research subjects. Participants can choose between two tracks. Track 1 is an English-language track that focuses on storytelling techniques and how you can use these to communicate about your research with a lay audience (this track is now fully booked). Track 2 is a track where experts of the University Museum share their expertise on family audiences and help you develop your own research-related activity for children and their families. This track is Dutch spoken, as it is aimed at local audiences: the families visiting Utrecht University Museum.
Each track comprises 5 meetings of about 2 hours. Maximum number of participants is 10 per track.
What you will gain from this course:
- Develop your communication skills
- Learn about different lay audiences
- You will develop your own activity and try out on a real audience, practice your layman’s talk, or work on a plan to involve a specific audience for your research
You can find more detailed information about each track below. Do you want to apply for one of those tracks? Maximum number of participants for each track is 10, first come first served, so be sure to apply quickly by sending an email to Stephanie Helfferich at s.helfferich@uu.nl.
Track 1: Storytelling techniques for researchers
In this course, you will learn how to communicate your research effectively using storytelling techniques. The focus will be on the written and spoken forms of communication. The techniques can be applied to scientific as well as popular forms of communication, such as research papers, conference talks, lectures, grant applications, media performances, popular science books, and blogs. You will work on a concrete plan to put your skills to use.
- Introduction public engagement – Stephanie Helfferich
- What is public engagement and why do it? (shared with track 2)
- Natural language vs research language, how to involve a reader
Tuesday 4 February 2020, 16.00-18.00, Bestuursgebouw 0.33C, Uithof
- Storytelling techniques for researchers
- Basic theory: the structure of an engaging text
- Applying storytelling techniques to your own project and receiving extensive feedback from teachers and peers
- Ways to grab attention, build suspense and raise curiosity
Tuesday 11 February 2020, 16.00-18.00, Bestuursgebouw 0.33A, Uithof
- Theater skills for scientists – Stephanie Helfferich
- Basic theater skills (e.g. voice intonation, gestures, timing)
- Applying theater skills to your own project and receiving extensive feedback from teachers and peers
- Reaching your audience: ways to connect with listeners, even the people in the back row
- Develop your own goal: are you preparing for your layman’s talk? Do you want to involve patient groups in your research? Do you want to include citizens’ perspectives in your research? Etc. Together with public engagement experts, you will develop a concrete goal to put your new skills to use.
Tuesday 18 February 2020, 16.00-18.00, Bestuursgebouw 0.33A, Uithof
- Develop and try out your pitch
- Pitch your plan
- Peer feedback
- Revise
Tuesday 25 February 2020, 16.00-18.00, Bestuursgebouw 0.33A, Uithof
- Closing meeting (shared with track 2) – Stephanie Helfferich
- What have you learned? How will you proceed?
- Drinks
Thursday 5 March, 16.00-18.00, Universiteitsmuseum, Grote Vergaderzaal
Do you want to apply for one of those tracks? Maximum number of participants for each track is 10, first come first served, so be sure to apply quickly by sending an email to Stephanie Helfferich at s.helfferich@uu.nl.
Track 2: Develop an interactive activity for a family audience (in Dutch)
De training is gericht op het ontwikkelen van een (interactieve) publieksactiviteit voor een familiedoelgroep, onder begeleiding van experts van het Universiteitsmuseum. Je kunt het geleerde direct in de praktijk brengen in het Universiteitsmuseum. Vanwege de familiedoelgroep is deze track alleen geschikt voor promovendi die goed Nederlands spreken.
- Introductie public engagement – Stephanie Helfferich
- Wat is public engagement en waarom doe je het (samen met track 1)
- Basics voor publieksactiviteiten in het Universiteitsmuseum
4 February 2020, 16.00-18.00, Bestuursgebouw 0.33C, Uithof
- Opzet publieksactiviteit
- Interactieve rondleiding door het Universiteitsmuseum
- Aan de slag met eigen opzet
Donderdag 13 februari, 16.00-18.00, Universiteitsmuseum, Grote Vergaderzaal
- Uitwerking en uittesten op elkaar
- Uitwerken eigen activiteit
- Uittesten op elkaar, feedbackronde
Donderdag 20 februari, 16.00-18.00, Universiteitsmuseum, Grote Vergaderzaal
- Try Out in het Universiteitsmuseum voor een familiepubliek
- 20 minuten met begeleiding van publieksbegeleider van het Universiteitsmuseum
- Als voorjaarsvakantieactiviteit,
- Telkens twee achter elkaar, bij elkaar kijken en elkaar feedback geven
Maandag 24 februari t/m vrijdag 28 februari, 14.00-15.00, Universiteitsmuseum, Grote Vergaderzaal
- Afsluitende bijeenkomst (samen met track 1)
- Wat heb je geleerd en hoe ga je ermee door?
- Borrel
Donderdag 5 maart, 16.00-18.00, Universiteitsmuseum, Grote Vergaderzaal
Do you want to apply for one of those tracks? Maximum number of participants for each track is 10, first come first served, so be sure to apply quickly by sending an email to Stephanie Helfferich at s.helfferich@uu.nl.