To provide comprehension of why physics engagement is important and what the challenges are with different audiences (public, schools etc.).
To develop writing skills for targeting different audiences.
To develop skills for translating complex scientific information into concise stories, including writing press releases, blogs and newspaper articles.
To gain general knowledge of some of the areas of current research in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Investigate and use different methods and media for effective physics communication, taking into account audience and context.
Demonstrate knowledge of learning styles and how they can be used in different types of engagement.
Demonstrate understanding of the basic challenges faced at communicating physics through the media, citing appropriate case studies related to physics.
Critically evaluate engagement events.
Design a specific activity aimed at communicating the excitement and fun of physics and pitch this as an engagement project to funding sources.
Produce a written article suitable for a general or school audience on some aspects of research happening at Cardiff University.

2-hour seminars and small-group “surgeries” with staff.

Understanding Physics. Problem Solving. Creativity. Presentation Skills. Writing Skills. Team working. Project Management. Interpersonal skills. Communication skills. Reflective practice. Professionalism. Technical skills. Time management.

Coursework (Group work and individual work)

Week 1: Background to public engagement (PE) – what do we know (review of research) and why is it important.
Week 2: Popular science writing: Introductory research talks from researchers in the School. Four senior researchers present a short talk about their work. Students choose one and must select an audience and format to write up for engaging a wider audience.
Week 3: How can science centres and museums help with physics engagement? Introductory talk and visit to Techniquest or National Museum Wales to critique how science is communicated.
Week 4: Surgery on science centre exhibits. Group project to write up one exhibit they saw in action, and how it was supporting learning or engagement. Informal education evaluation techniques discussed.
Week 5: How to give a short talk with big impact – Introduction to the Ignite or FameLab (short talks) format that will be used in the assessment. Experience from TEDx and Ignite speakers will be shared and groups will critique what makes the most engaging physics presenters.
Week 6: Physics and the media. Introduction to how the media works and what challenges it poses to scientists. Guidelines on writing a good press release. Exploring writing styles and techniques for how to hook a reader. Set coursework; written piece to chosen audience type.
Week 7: Physics in unexpected places – a discussion of projects that take physics to wider audiences. What has been tried, what have we learnt? Introduction to the IOP Physics engagement grant scheme that will form the basis of the final piece of assessed work.
Week 8: Delivery and feedback on prepared Ignite style talks that will be filmed and assessed.
Week 9: Taking physics to an audience – Surgery session. Groups allocated to work together and discuss ideas for a project to do this that will be pitched to a mock panel in week 10. Introductory sessions on how to plan, evaluate and cost up an outreach project.
Week 10: Groups deliver their grant idea for IOP physics engagement grant to a mock panel.
Week 11: Class discussion, critique and communication activity.

Science Communication: A practical guide for Scientists, L. Bowater, K. Yeaoman (2012) pub Wiley
Successful Science Communication: Telling it like it is: ed. D Bennett, Richard Jennings (2011) pub Cambridge University Press
Don’t be such a scientist: Talking substance in an age of style: Randy Olsen (2009) pub Ireland Press
Investigating Science Communication in the Information Age: Implications for public engagement and popular media. R. Holliman, E. Whitelegg, E. Scanlon (2008)