Research and Communication: Training & Slam

Course Type: Erasmus+-Funded Staff Training (2 days)

Duration and Learning Format

• Total workload (28 hours), broken down into:
  • Online: 4 hours
  • On-site (physical mobility): 18 hours (12 hours workshop, 6 hours public event in the evening of the second workshop day)
  • Individual preparation: 6 hours (pre-workshop preparation and during workshop days)
• Dates of:
  • Online component: Kick-Off Meeting in May & Reflection Meeting at the end of June (exact dates will be agreed with nominated participants)
  • On-site component: 15-16 June, Villach, Austria

    
Credits and Certification

On successful completion of the course participants will receive a certificate of attendance with outlining the total amount of hours and an explanation of the learning outcomes

Organising Institutions and Teaching Staff:

Lead and Host Institution

Carinthia University of Applied Sciences

Julia Marinaccio, Viktoria Scariano

Partner institutions

Polytechnic University of Santarém – Luís Jacob Jacinto

External stakeholders

The event is realized partnership with

Science Slam Austria (Trainer: Bernhard Weingartner)

Abenteuer Affenberg (Roy Hammer)

Kulturhof:Villach (venue)

Infineon Technologies

Land Kärnten

 

Course Overview

Carinthia University of Applied Sciences is hosting the third edition of its blended researcher training programme, “Research ‘n Communication: Training & Science Slam”. The programme aims to equip researchers with the crucial skills necessary to communicate the content, relevance, and expected or desired impact of their research projects effectively to non-academic audiences.

Thanks to its unique set-up that combines theoretical teaching, practical exercises, real-world applications of science communication, and a final challenge of presenting their project live on stage in front of a mixed, non-academic audience, participants will experience an intensive and unique learning experience. What’s more, by engaging in peer-to-peer feedback during the entire workshop, participants will build strong personal relationships with colleagues from across the alliance and will be trained in helping others improve their communication. The knowledge and skills acquired can be adopted in teaching and program development at their home institutions.

Learning Journey

• Online Kick-Off Meeting (2 hours, exact date tbc.):

During the online meeting, participants will receive an introduction to the course setup and its final public event, as well as instructions on how to prepare for the on-site training. Moreover, participants of previous editions will join the session, sharing their experience and providing recommendations to participants. The date of the Kick-Off Meeting will be agreed with the nominated participants after the registration deadline closes.

• Onsite session (15-16 June): Villach, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences

Day 1 (15 June): Campus Villach, CUAS

Theoretical inputs on concepts of science communication, with first practical exercises in storytelling techniques, will be given by science communication expert Bernhard Weingartner, followed by two rounds of project presentations by the participants with expert and peer feedback to each presentation.

Day 2 (16 June): Abenteuer Affenberg and Kulturhof Villach

The day will start with a collective commute to the private zoo Abenteuer Affenberg outside Villach, which is home to 270 Macaque monkeys. Participants will be given a guided tour and an introduction to the zoo’s science communication concept and measures, and meet its research group. Through this experience, participants will receive additional input on the practice of science communication and learn about its real-world application. In the afternoon, the group will return to Villach and meet for the final rehearsal and tech-check at the event venue, Kulturhof Villach in the city centre. The public International Science Slam will start at 6 pm and will end at around 9 pm.

• Online Follow-up & Reflection Meeting (2 hours, end of June, exact date tbc.):

The reflection meeting shall give participants the chance to share their takeaways from the course with some distance from the event, and discuss how they intend to use the acquired skills in the future. For the organizers, the meeting is an important opportunity to receive additional feedback to further improve the course format and motivate one or two participants to join as experienced science communicators in the fourth edition in 2027.

Learning Objectives

Specific learning objectives include:

• Increase participants’ understanding of the importance of science communication among participants
• Equip participants with the fundamentals of science communication and storytelling and hands-on tools for its application
• Provide a unique real-world setting for applying these skills
• Lower barriers that may discourage participants from sharing their research findings with wider audiences

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, participants will

• Know the principles of science communication
• Be able to tailor their presentations to different audiences
• Have gained considerable self-assurance in presenting in front of a large audience
• Learn basic theoretical concepts of science communication and storytelling, and its practical application in different contexts

 

Who would find this course useful?

This course may be suitable for researchers at all career stages from ACE²-EU partner universities – including PhD students, BA and MA students with a graduation thesis accompanied by their supervisors – who are interested in expanding target audiences to ensure their research results reach beyond academia.

Recommended Language Level: English B2-C1

Application Process:

Interested researchers shall send their project ideas to the organisers, outlining the topic and the project’s impact or relevance for society. Projects can be presented individually or in groups; a maximum of 7 contributions from across the alliance will be selected for participation. The selection process is competitive.

🔗 Apply here: https://forms.gle/xYbDyB3DEmTNJn7K7

Deadline for receipt of applications: 30 March

The selection committee’s decision will be sent on April 6. Prior to the start of the course, nominated participants will receive a welcome email from the ACE²-EU Alliance with detailed instructions specific to the course.

This course is Erasmus+ funded. For more information about how to apply for Erasmus Staff Training, please contact your International Relations Office.

 

Further Information

For information or queries related to the course set-up and preparation, please contact Victoria Scariano (v.scariano@fh-kaernten.at)

For information or queries related to registration and travel funding email Julia Marinaccio (j.marinaccio@fh-kaernten.at)