Science communication workshop series

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is the leading organisation for Earth, planetary, and space science research in Europe. With our partner societies worldwide, we foster fundamental geoscience research, alongside applied research that addresses key societal and environmental challenges. Our vision is to realise a sustainable and just future for humanity and for the planet.

The EGU Outreach Committee is soliciting the development and delivery of at least two online workshop series in the broad area of science communication within the geosciences for 2024. Science communication is being used as an umbrella term cover all aspects of media, outreach, public engagement, widening participation, knowledge exchange, policy engagement and any other related areas. The overall aims for each workshop series should be:

• To inform EGU members of the importance of communicating and engaging different non-scientific audiences with their science.
• To train EGU members in current best practices within science communication, media, outreach, public engagement, widening participation, knowledge exchange, or policy engagement.
• To equip EGU members with the skills to undertake a variety of different communication, outreach, and engagement activities.

We aim for at least two online workshop series to be delivered in 2024 in English. Each online workshop series would be aimed at around 30-40 EGU members who would have applied and made a commitment to attending. Each proposed workshop series should consist of three to four sessions of no more than a few hours, spread over a two or three week period. It is expected that any proposed online workshop would:

• Be suitable for active geoscience researchers, with a focus on early career scientists
• Have well-defined learning objectives tied to the overall aims
• Be interactive, containing worked activities that would receive some individual- or group-level feedback throughout the programme
• Include an evaluation plan for demonstrating the efficacy of the workshop, which would be written up into a final report upon delivery

The specific focus of their proposed workshop series is left open to applicants but may include one, or a few, of the following:

• Science storytelling
• Writing for public audiences
• Writing for policymakers
• Presentation skills
• Developing engagement activities
• Working with schools
• Engaging non-traditional audiences
• Evaluating engagement

The EGU Outreach Committee prefers more in-depth workshop series on fewer of these (or other) topics, rather than broad and basic introductions to numerous ones. For examples, see the details of the successful workshop proposals in 2023 to get a better idea.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate:

• Awareness of current trends and research in informal science learning
• Experience training (particularly early career) scientists in an area relevant to the proposed workshop
• At least 2 years of experience in running online workshops
• Experience working with or in the areas of space, planetary, or geosciences
• Expert command of English
• Ability to liaise throughout development with clients
• Ability to work in a flexible, imaginative, and responsive way
• Ability to work to a high standard, particularly in relation to attention to detail, drafting, project management, communication, and consultation

Proposals should be submitted as a single file via the application form by the end of Monday 8 January 2023. This should include:

• 2 pages outlining how the applicant or team meets the requirements, e.g. a CV
• 2 pages outlining the proposed workshop series and budget, indicating how the proposal aligns with EGU’s aims

Please include links to previous relevant work where appropriate. Budgets of up to €5,000 total will be considered for each series, though it is expected that most workshop series will be budgeted at around €2,000-3,000 (inclusive of VAT). Previous applicants (successful or unsuccessful) are eligible to reapply to this call. We reserve the right to keep your details on file when considering future online workshops unless you inform us otherwise.

For any additional information on the EGU science communication workshop series, please check the most recent call for applications or contact: