announcement

Join us in 2025!

Dear Cohort 2025 participants, please check your email. The ‘Welcome to the Course’ email, containing all the information you need to get started, has been sent. The Welcome to the Course session is on February 23rd, and all further details can be found in the course syllabus

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Cohort 2025

  • Sign-Up Deadline: capacity is reached!
  • Course Start Date: February 24, 2025
  • Waitlist Final Intake: March 7, 2025

Due to the high volume of applications and the limited number of spots available, we have now reached capacity for this live cohort. However, if participants cancel their registration or new spots become available, individuals on the waitlist will be offered a place in the course.

Got questions? Shoot us an email at scicomm@igem.org or connect with us on Slack ↗

About

Science is not completed until it is communicated. Though many scientists may agree, they often lack the resources required to develop their own science communication (SciComm) skills. We have developed a free, open-access, and comprehensive course on 'Mastering SciComm' with 5 experts worldwide. The course enables you to work on your SciComm portfolio and offers a digital certificate once completed! Our free course equips scientists with the essential skills in writing, presenting, social media, illustration, and best practices needed to realize the full potential of their research and make advances at the intersection of science and society.

Background

We surveyed current and past iGEMers on what science communication topics they would like to master. Here are the top 5: * Communicating to broad audiences * Communicating to a scientific audience * Social media * Science illustration * Best practices/Accessibility

We have recruited SciComm experts in these areas. Each has created recorded video lessons, followed by practice opportunities. Yes, there are assignments, but they're designed to aid you. The skills you will develop not only improve your projects but also your career! Each lesson ends with an assignment to reinforce concepts, evaluated by experts or our Steering Group. By course end, you'll have a SciComm Portfolio showcasing your new skills. We are excited to be launching our own course on Mastering Science Communication.

The course is completely free and accessible online at any time. The pre-recorded lessons are hosted on the iGEM Video Universe and linked to this webpage! The instructions for each assignment are posted below. Each lesson will be about 30 minutes long and the assignments are designed to take about 30-60 minutes (but feel free to spend more time perfecting them!).

How does it work?

  • Step 1: Enroll in the second cohort in 2025. * Step 2: Engage with video lessons, complete assignments, and participate in Feedback and Q&A sessions. * Step 3: Access support from the Mastering SciComm team whenever you need assistance. * Step 4: Earn a Certificate of Achievement upon successfully completing the course. * Step 5: Compile your assignments into a portfolio to showcase your skills. Exceptional portfolios will be featured on the Mastering SciComm website.

What will you achieve?

  • Learn about the best practices for effective and accessible science communication * Learn strategies for communicating to broad audiences * Understand how to leverage social media to share your science * Use science illustration to inform scientific concepts while bypassing language barriers
  • Develop hands-on skills using tools and resources to complete your own SciComm Portfolio * Earn a certificate of course completion

Curriculum Sneak-Peek

ExpertTitleVideo
Mastering Science Communication TeamWelcome to the course!
Joseph Opoku GakpoBest Practices in Science Communication: Mastering the Fundamentals
Etienne Raimondeau, PhDBasics of Science Illustration
Ipsa Jain, PhDVisual SciComm: Merging Science and Art
Isabel Mendoza PoudereuxDigital marketing for science communication
Joan ConrowCommunicating to broad audiences: Engaging with the media
Niko McCartyReaching scientists and Science Enthusiasts
Mastering Science Communication TeamCall to action: It is your turn now!
note

This course is independent of the iGEM Competition, and is not directed towards guiding you for medal and award eligibility. Any opinions expressed in this course are not reflective of any institution(s) with which we may be affiliated (except for iGEM Community).

Events

On September 6th, 2024, we hosted an Expert Talk on Careers in Science Communication! Three incredible speakers shared their learnings and experiences.

Experts
Present Organizers
Past Organizers