Invitation to a 'writing for popular media' masterclass

SU is partnering with The Conversation Africa (TC Africa) to conduct a 2 hrs virtual science communication masterclass via Zoom on how to communicate research findings to non-academic audiences.

For the modern day researcher, research visibility matters. While publishing in peer-reviewed journals is vital, it is also wise and useful to consider other ways of reaching wider audiences such as policy makers, the public and gain exposure. Stellenbosch University is partnering with The Conversation Africa (TC Africa), who will conduct and deliver the virtual 2-hour workshop on popular media writing for scientists. The workshop is designed to be a hands-on and interactive session and will equip researchers with skills to pitch and publish on The Conversation Africa. The workshop will focus on how researchers can best communicate research findings and insights to non-academic audiences, be they the general public or policy makers for impact.

About the workshop:

The workshop is designed to be an interactive session to help researchers to refine and improve how they communicate to non-academic audiences. The Writing Masterclass will empower scientists to be able to pitch their articles and establish the key message when writing for the general public.

Who can attend: This workshop is open to all Stellenbosch University academics, post-docs and PhD candidates only (unfortunately NOT open to Masters students).

​Register/RSVP by 20 August to secure your spot here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tca_sun

Virtual webinar via Zoom and Zoom details to be shared upon registration. 

More info: Martin Viljoen, media@sun.ac.za  

About The Conversation

The Conversation Africa is a media organisation that works with academics and scientists, helping them to translate, write and share their research and expertise in an accessible way and sharing those insights with the ordinary public on a dedicated news and analysis website – www.theconversation.com/africa . The research and scholarly endeavour of African academics and scientists can have a significant bearing on societal issues, yet many academics and scientists lack the skills, experience necessary to write for non-scientists audiences and often also lack opportunities to do so. This ​​​means that their wealth of knowledge and research often remains trapped within university corridors, within peer-to-peer journals, leaving the public and the policy community deprived of access to important insights that could help shape evidence-based policymaking. The mission of The Conversation is to increase the visibility of African academics, scientists, their work and scholarship in society. Thus far, the initiative has been well received across the continent. Since launching in 2015, TC-Africa has published over 4 800 academics, cumulatively their over 7 000 articles have reached over 90 million reads online globally.

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