Science and Technology Communication in Theory and Practice
Course content
This highly interactive summer school offers students from all disciplines the opportunity to gain skills in the understanding and production of research communication and in interdisciplinary, problem-oriented collaboration. Students will read and discuss contemporary theory in the field and produce science communication products such as short films, podcasts, articles and complementary social media. Students will work individually and in interdisciplinary groups, getting the chance to gain hands-on experience of research and development across disciplinary boundaries.
The two-week intensive summer school takes place in August as a mix of in-class learning and out-of-class excursions to museums and other sites. Students are expected to be present and participate actively every day. They will engage with topics such as the history of science communication, contemporary models, arts-based methods in science communication, as well as exploring subfields such as environmental communication and health communication. Theoretical sessions will be complemented by practical sessions introducing different media and formats including writing, oral communication and curation. Overall, the course will enable students to become familiar with the theory and practice of public science communication.
By participating actively in this course, you will acquire the following knowledge, skills and competencies:
Knowledge:
You will be able to account for key methods and theories in the study of science communication, including models of communication, scientific knowledge, audience reception, and analytical frames.
Skills:
You will be able to create science communication products which utilise specific formats to communicate scientific knowledge to defined audiences.
Competencies:
You will be able to critically examine instances of science communication by drawing on appropriate theories and methods in the field.
You will be able to communicate such assessment and analysis with precision and in terms relevant to the academic debate in the field.
Lectures, group work, and practical workshops.
Students will engage with texts introducing the theory and methods of public science communication, as well as with instances of written (and other) communication. The course content will use a set of real-world case studies, such as climate change and emerging biotechnology, and readings will also include examples and analyses of these.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are recommended.
This course is identical to the discontinued course NNDK16002U Science Communication in Theory and Practice.
Continuous feedback during the course
As an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
If you are not a student at The Faculty of Science at The
University of Copenhagen
click here.
The application deadline is in Spring. Subject to availability, there may be a second deadline 1 June.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Take-home assignment (10 pages) consisting of a presentation and discussion of the communication product based on substantial use of the course literature (the student must use sources from at least three different sessions).
- Examination prerequisites
-
- Active participation in the lessons and excursions (80% attendance)
- Active participation in the production and oral presentation of a communication product
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- passed/not passed
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
2 internal examiners
- Re-exam
-
Same as the ordinary exam.
Students who have not developed and presented a science communication product during the course (and therefore have not met the exam registration requirements) may qualify for the re-exam by submitting a 10-minute video in which they present and discuss their science communication product. The video must be submitted no later than three weeks before the re-exam week. In addition, the written assignment must be submitted by Friday at 23:59 during the re-exam week.
It is the student's responsibility to notify the course coordinator of their intent to submit both the video and the written assignment no later than six weeks before the re-exam week.
Students who do not attend and actively participate in at least 80% of the course days must retake the course.
Criteria for exam assessment
The students will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Students should
- Describe their science communication product and how they developed it.
- Explain their particular choices in the making of their product, taking key methods and theories into account (drawing on relevant literature from the course).
- Contextualize their science communication product within the broader field of science communication (discuss what else has been done that resembles the product and what distinguishes the product from that).
- Critically examine their science communication product by drawing on appropriate theories and methods from the course, e.g. by considering its limitations and what could have been done differently given more time.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 70
- Preparation
- 80
- Exam
- 56
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NNDK23005U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Placement
- Summer
- Price
-
Information on tuition fees, living costs, and costs of accomodation is available at the UCPH website for international students: https://www.ku.dk/studies
- Schedulegroup
-
Course dates: 3-14 August 2026, Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00
Exam period: 17-21 August 2026
Deadline for hand-in of written assignment: 21 August 2026 - Capacity
- 40
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student. - Studyboard
- Study Board of Mathematics and Computer Science
Contracting department
- Department of Science Education
- Department of Public Health
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Marianne Achiam (6-64666b6c6470436c7167316e7831676e)
Teacher
Martin Grünfeld
Louise Emma Whiteley
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende