Innovation and public science communication

This course is compulsory for the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences and at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education. The course is also open to all other PhD candidates at UiT.

The course can be undertaken as a single course.

Public science communication and innovation are important for society. Dissemination is one of the three fundamental pillars of universities, alongside research and teaching. This course is designed to enhance understanding of the principles and processes of research communication. It will promote critical thinking and understanding of the role of research communication in society.

Drawing on knowledge from communication, rhetoric, psychology, and journalism, participants will learn to make research and expertise accessible, relevant, and engaging to selected target groups, and to enhance their ability to communicate innovative ideas.

The course provides an introduction to target group-driven research communication and demonstrates the importance of tailoring a message to specific recipient groups. Participants will get an overview of various public dissemination channels and insights into how they can be effectively utilised, both together and individually.

Through examples and practical tasks, participants will practice crafting messages and communicating them through different channels, aiming to become more confident and active in their role as communicators in their field.

The course also introduces innovation within and outside academia, and the process from idea to product and service innovation. It will increase awareness of one's own and others' research communication.

Research communication is an increasingly important tool for researchers, helping them develop as speakers and public debaters, form alliances with new partners in research, innovation, and in society, attract external funding, and build careers both within and outside academia.

UiT has adopted a communication platform, which serves as a framework to coordinate and strengthen the university's work in dissemination and research communication. HEL-8045 is one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening this work and is an integral part of the communication platform.

Admission requirements

PhD candidates, master's students, or other students enrolled in a research programme, as well as applicants with a Norwegian master's degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent), are eligible to apply. PhD candidates and research program students are exempt from paying term fees.

There are a limited number of places available for this course, with a maximum of 44 participants per course. If there are more applicants than places, students will be prioritised according to the following categories:

• PhD candidates and research programme students at UiT The Arctic University of Norway

• PhD candidates and research programme students at other universities

• Individuals with at least a master's degree or equivalent, but who are not enrolled in a PhD programme

If prioritisation is necessary within category 1, students who are furthest along in their studies and for whom the course is a compulsory part of their training will be given priority.

Course overlap

You will receive a reduction in the number of credits (as stated below) if you take the exam in this course and have previously passed any of the following course(s):

SVF-8048 Popular Research Communication 2 ECTS

SVF-8049 Scientific Research Communication 2 ECTS

HEL-8004-EN General and Scientific Research Communication (English) 2 ECTS

HEL-8004-NO Allmennrettet og vitenskapelig forskningskommunikasjon (Norwegian) 2 ECTS

SVH-8001 Research Dissemination 2 ECTS

SVH-8002 Forskningsformidling 2 ECTS

BED-8004 Academic entrepreneurship - Preparing PhD students for an Entrepreneurial Career 1 ECTS

SVF-8049 Vitenskapelig forskningskommunikasjon

HEL-8045-NO Innovasjon og allmennrettet forskningskommunikasjon 3 ECTS

Knowledge

• Understand the relationship between research communication and societal impact
• Have a critical understanding of the media's mission, working methods, and needs
• Be familiar with obligations, rights, and ethical aspects related to research communication and innovation
• Be able to assess the appropriateness and application of various methods in research communication

Skills

• Be able to handle complex academic questions and challenge established knowledge and practices in one's own field through research dissemination
• Be able to identify relevant target groups and suitable channels for conveying a specific message
• Be able to formulate issues for, to plan, and to execute research dissemination across various channels by:
  • Applying journalistic methods to one's own popular science communication
  • Tailoring a message to different target groups and channels using text, images, and other media
• Be able to reflect critically on one's own research communication
• Be able to use research communication to highlight one's own research, innovation, or research policy issues, and to bring expertise into public debate
• Be confident in preparing for interviews on TV, radio, in newspapers, or in other channels
• Be able to discuss research communication in light of various traditions within this field

General competencies

• Be able to communicate research and development work through recognised national and international channels
• Can participate in debates within the field in international forums
• Can communicate research with academic integrity to stakeholders both within and outside academia
• Is aware of and can further develop one's individual strengths as a communicator
• Recognises the importance of research communication from a societal perspective
• Understands how research can contribute to service and product innovation
• Can assess the need for, initiate, and clarify innovation

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• HEL-8045-NO Public science communication and innovation 3 ects
• SVF-8048 Popular Research Communication 2 ects
• HEL-8004-EN General and Scientific Research Communication (English) 2 ects
• HEL-8004-NO General and Scientific Research Communication (Norwegian) 2 ects
• BIO-8007 Communicating Science Module 2 – Coping with media 1 ects
• BIO-8010 Communicating Science Module 3 – Visualizing your science 1 ects
• SVH-8001 Research dissemination 2 ects
• SVH-8002 Research dissemination 2 ects
• BED-8004 Academic entrepreneurship - preparing PhD students for an entrepreneurial career 1 ects
• BED-8004 Academic innovation and entrepreneurship 1 ects

Teaching methods

The training is provided in the form of a 3-day course (24 hours of teaching) that includes lectures, practical exercises, and group work. The course also includes interview training.

The course runs concurrently with the Communication Week for all staff at UiT. Several of the lectures in HEL-8045 will therefore be part of the Communication Week, attracting more attendees than only participants in this course.

Language of instruction and examination

Schedule

More info about the coursework requirements

Obligatory coursework requirements

The following work requirements must be completed and approved before you can take the examination:

• Draft of a popular science text presenting the research and the most relevant research findings to a defined target group, along with a reflection note on the potential for innovation in one's own research. This must be submitted one week before the start of teaching.Approved - not approved
• Participation in a minimum of 70% of the teaching.Approved - not approved

Re-sit examination

Re-sit examination

There is no re-sit examination for this course. Candidates who do not pass may submit an updated version of their previous examination during the next course offering.