Media Liaison, science communication and training

Institute scientists, staff and PhD students are encouraged and supported in actively engaging with the public to discuss their research, the scientific discoveries they make and the implications these advances have for human health. The Babraham Institute aims to engage a variety of public audiences in dialogue about its science, to create a better understanding and appreciation of the Institute's research, its potential applications and implications, and an opportunity for the concerns of society to be heard and discussed with experts. We also seek to understand better the societal context for our work and to actively and constructively engage with those who have concerns about either the ethical issues or technological implications surrounding our work.

The Institute, through the activities of the Corporate Affairs office, aims to facilitate and promote constructive communication with the media and to promote effective networking with the bioscience community. Developing communication skills that are tailored to a non-scientific audience is therefore essential to fulfil these aims and enable the scientific community to listen and respond to the needs and concerns of our various public audiences and operate effectively with the media.

Since 2001 we have ensured that all senior scientists participate in 'media training', giving priority to those whose work makes them likely spokespeople on topics of public interest. Currently three of the Institute's Group Leaders are on the Science Media Centre's list of 'technical experts', available to provide comment or opinion on issues of public interest. We focus on practical training in interview techniques, rather than non-technical writing, as the demand from both media and community groups is for articulate speakers who can clearly communicate the key messages. Group Leaders and PhD students are covered by formal training programmes in this area. We intend to extend, through the Institute's established postdoctoral training programme, more tailored training for all scientific staff, especially concentrating on presentation skills for engaging the non-technical audience.

Further information is available from:

Dr Claire Cockcroft
(Head, External Relations)
01223 496260
Contact by email