Workshop 1: Science Communication in Practice – From Research to Media
30/11/2026 to 01/12/2026
Within the new EUniWell Research-to-Media Workshop Series, EUniWell offers three practical online training workshops in English between November 2026 and March 2027. Each workshop focuses on a different aspect of science communication and is part of the EUniWell WeFF project for researchers from the EUniWell member universities.
The workshops will help participants recognise the public and media relevance of their research, engage confidently with journalists, explore the use of AI in science communication, and learn how to communicate their research through social media in a responsible and strategic way.
Together, the workshops aim to strengthen the ability of EUniWell researchers to communicate research in ways that are accurate, accessible, relevant, and useful to journalists, institutional communication teams, and wider public audiences.
Workshop 1: Science Communication in Practice – From Research to Media
Understanding science communication, developing strategies, and engaging with journalists
In collaboration with NaWik
Monday, 30 November, and Tuesday, 1 December 2026, 9:00–12:30 (CET), online
The first workshop, “Science Communication in Practice: From Research to Media – Understanding science communication, developing strategies, and engaging with journalists”, will take place on 30 November and 1 December 2026 from 9:00–12:30 (CET). It focuses on the central objective of the Research-to-Media workshop series: learning the basics of good science communication, strengthening the media uptake of research, and fostering effective collaboration between researchers, journalists, and institutional communication teams.
Good science communication makes research visible, strengthens trust in science, and promotes dialogue with society. This introductory workshop provides essential skills and practical methods for communicating research in a clear, accessible, and targeted way. It raises awareness of the principles of good science communication and the different formats through which research can reach public audiences.
Participants will furthermore learn how to recognise the news value of their research, identify a clear media angle, pitch research stories to external media outlets, and prepare for interactions with journalists.
The workshop will cover:
- Planning science communication strategically;
- Key actors in science communication and their respective roles;
- Understanding audiences, target groups and media;
- Identifying news value, relevance and timing;
- Developing clear core messages and media angles;
- Building trust in science;
- Working with institutional press offices and journalists;
- Communicating evidence, uncertainty and limitations.
Please note: After the first workshop day on 30 November, participants will be assigned a one-hour homework task to work on before the next session on 1 December. Please plan accordingly.
Participants who attend both workshop sessions on 30 November and 1 December will receive a certificate of completion and a handout summarising the key information covered during the workshop.
Who can participate?
The workshop is open to researchers at all career stages from EUniWell member universities, including:
- Early-career researchers (PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, tenure-track faculty members);
- Research group leaders;
- Professors and senior researchers;
- Research-active lecturers;
- Doctoral researchers;
- and Researchers working within collaborative EUniWell projects, Thematic Arenas, joint programmes, or other Alliance activities.
Participation does not require previous professional communication experience.
How to register
Places are limited to 12 participants. Registrations will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of one participant from each EUniWell member university. A waiting list will be maintained, and any remaining places will be offered to wait-listed applicants if not all member universities are represented among the initial applicants.
Please register as early as possible and no later than one week before the workshop via the following registration form:
https://survey.uni-koeln.de/index.php/352624?lang=en
Further information
About the training partner & facilitators:
The workshop is delivered in collaboration with the German National Institute for Science Communication (NaWik). For more than ten years, NaWik has been training researchers, students and communication professionals in the basics of good science communication. Through its workshops and training programmes, NaWik helps participants communicate research clearly, accurately, and effectively to different audiences.
Lena Schwenker is a science communicator and communications manager at Helmholtz Munich. She combines a background in molecular biosciences, metabolism and cancer research with extensive experience in science communication, including social media campaigns and public engagement initiatives such as the award-winning “K1DS ARE HEROES” campaign.
Hanno Charisius is a biologist and journalist. He works as a staff writer at the Süddeutsche Zeitung and also as a freelance science journalist for other major German newspapers, including Die Zeit and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.
About the workshop series:
The Research-to-Media Lab workshop series builds on the earlier EUniWell Research Communication Programme and Science-to-Public Communication Training developed under the Horizon 2020 funding line, see e.g. EUniWell Science-to-Public Communication Workshop Series. The new series consists of three workshops, each addressing a different aspect of science communication.
Upcoming workshops:
- Workshop 2: Responsible AI for Science Communication
Using generative AI without compromising accuracy, credibility, or research integrity
In collaboration with the COALESCE project
Tuesday, 26 January 2027, 13:00 – 17:00 (CET), online
- Workshop 3: Social Media for Researchers
Building credible visibility and communicating research strategically
In collaboration with Wissenschaft im Dialog (Science in Dialogue)
March 2027 (date to be confirmed), 9:00 – 13:00 (CET), online
Contact
For questions about the workshop series or individual workshops, please contact Marlen Töpfer, EUniWell Event and Communications Manager, at marlen.toepfer[at]uni-koeln.de
