Communications and Outreach Module COMP 41380 Dr Aoibhéann Bird, Insight Education and Public Engagement aoibheann.bird@insight-centre.org, 01 7162817 Mr Philip Smyth philip.smyth@ucd.ie

Who are you? Introduction – Before I’ve done this part. Ask the students who they are etc and then following that get them to write on a white board what exactly it is they want to get out of the module. AB or PS can do this 4 things about yourself- name, where you work, what you’re working on, some interesting fact about yourself AB

Who are we? Only fair that we both introduce ourselves in more detail Basically we explain to them why we’re suitable to teach them this stuff and why we think matters We’re deadly and they need to know it  PS

Philip PS

Aoibhéann AB

What is outreach? Reaching out to different audiences Talking about your research Consider demographics Ok so the module is called Comms and Outreach … so we ask them what, in their opinion, is outreach. We then discuss who we talk too and why each group is important in its own way. I can lead this slide if you can do the next one explaining the 7 demographics that we talk to. PS

Different audiences Primary school Secondary school Third level Fourth level General public Industry Inreach AB to introduce the different 7 demographics and why each is important. Primary kids – to inspire the future 2nd – to encourage them to choose science and if not have a value attached to it 3rd – to show the opportunities available to them (PhD, MSc) 4th – To train, to get to work with, GP – they pay our salaries – government policy makers Industry – to get to work with us and PRODUCE something – for funding issues Inreach – the right knows what the left hand is doing, wealth of expertise in house

Why Outreach? Communication skills needed by researchers, outreach activities give you those skills Ask the students why do you think working in an outreach setting is of benefit to them? PS

Why Outreach? Communication skills needed by researchers, outreach activities give you those skills Funding agencies increasingly require outreach component Enhances own understanding at fundamental level, gives perspective Tailor talks- style, content, suitability (audience) Value- collective- institute Want people to know Want people to understand If you can explain it to a 10 year old- you can explain it to anyone Presentation skills If you can explain something to a 10 year old, you can explain it to anyone. Taking something complex and simplifying it with a context. This ideal can be applied to a thesis in order to explain it to a member of the public. It can be applied to a research project and explaining to a non expert audience. PS

Picture within a picture Explaining something that you are so invested in is very difficult. To explain a topic you need to present it in a context that your audience can relate to. Often researchers think that they have comprehensively explained their work but they may not be as clear as they believe. Exercise. AB

Picture within a picture PS

10 contact hours covering Overview of module 10 contact hours covering Presentation skills, learning styles Communication skills Interactive presentation skills Peer review skills Expert speakers PS

Timetable Thursdays – 1pm-2pm in B108, CSI Outreach session - TBC Date Content Thurs 24th September Introduction Thurs 1st October Presentation Heroes Thurs 8th October Outreach workshop/ Intro to Thesis in 3 Thurs 15th October Outreach practice Thurs 22nd October Guest speaker – Barry Brophy - Presentation skills Thurs 29th October Thesis in 3 Thurs 5th November Outreach Practice Thurs 12th November Outreach Session & Review (2hrs) (Science Week) Thurs 19th November Outreach Review Session Thurs 26th November Overall Review session AB Barry Brophy – School of electrical and electronic engineering Thursdays – 1pm-2pm in B108, CSI Outreach session - TBC

COMP 41380 To pass this module students need to: Attend at least 80% of the workshops/seminars Students must regularly submit to online blog- and submit a module report AB

Why primary level? Easy to arrange 10 years old- explain to anyone, blindside question Supervisor focus Perspective PS

Comments from PhD students “It was great to have the opportunity to take part in outreach activities, which were the highlight of the module and I found them to be very rewarding” This module “helped me appreciate how developing my communication skills to become a better speaker can enhance my own profile and value” The module “helped improve my own communication and interpersonal skills” PS

Comments from 5th Class students “Don’t tell the other classes to go because I want to go again” “it was so intriguing and fascinating, of all our mini school tours this was the best” “I think you guys are all geniuses. But especially Brendan” “Both my parents love science, so now I can show them all the cool stuff you showed us” PS “Both classes absolutely loved it. They’re still talking about the experiments and the people they met.” – A. Mullaly, teacher

Homework Take a look at YouTube, Ted, etc. Look for own example of excellent speaker Post links to speakers on blog http://reachingoutreach.wordpress.com Looking for what traits make a good presenter Looking for what traits make a bad presenter Examples will be discussed in the next session AB

Summary What Why How When PS