I thought I would pass on this information which has been sent on behalf of Professor Alison Rodger, University of Warwick, about a training initiative for early career researchers.
Dear Early career researcher (especially female post docs)
Following the very successful October conference targeted at female postdocs wanting an independent career in chemistry (with the handful of brave men who came really helping make the event work), we shall be running a training course entitled
"Women in Science and the Media: Communication & Impact for Female Early Career Researchers".
This innovative course will use science media to help postdocs improve their ability to communicate with different audiences, from other researchers and grant reviewers to journalists and members of the public. It focuses on the barriers facing female scientists in their careers and how developing effective presentation skills and personal impact can help. The course analyses the media portrayal of female scientists and how it can be challenged. The course involves hands-on radio and TV production and culminates in a recording session in a radio studio at the BBC's Broadcasting House.
It will take place at Cumberland Lodge in the dark days of January (4–6). Most of the content will be relevant to both men an women but we have titled it like this to make the point that we shall particularly be considering the way women do and don't communicate effectively. It will be targeted at female post doctoral researchers but not excluding men or young academics and fellows. More details can be found at:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wcas/events/communicationandimpact. Unfortunately, unlike the October conference it is not free but we do have some funding to cover some or all of the course delivery part of the cost for those who do not have a local funding mechanism. We require a small grant application for individuals to be able to benefit from this—which is also good experience.
If you have any further questions, please email Professor Alison Rodger at
a.rodger@warwick.ac.uk.