Module: Science Communication & Media Skills

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Science Communication & Media Skills
Module Code	PSY1020 (ITS: PSYC119)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The aim of this module is to introduce students to theory and practice of science communication. Particular emphasis will be on developing practical skills to clearly communicate research findings to the ‘lay’ (non-expert) public and also patients. Communication skills can include writing for the non-expert audience e.g. feature writing, news report writing, and science blogging; broadcasting skills can include podcasting and radio production; and social media skills for science communication.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically consider theoretical approaches to studying science communication
2. Critically consider approaches to public and patient involvement (PPI) in research
3. Draft a piece of journalistic writing communicating research findings for the non-expert audience
4. Communicate effectively in oral formats, adapting to audience profile as required
5. Demonstrate awareness of one's communication abilities, including areas for development
6. Communicate effectively in written or other non-oral formats, adapting to the audience profile as required
7. Demonstrate appropriate listening skills to enhance communication
8. Demonstrate the effective use of digital technology for communication

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Based on indicative content and learning outcomes; Asynchronous active listening and engagement with lecture material.
Workshop	6	Moderator and student-led skills based workshops
Independent Study	50	Self-directed learning including Assessment preparation
Fieldwork	49	Developing and Communicating Graphics - Preparation and Training
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20965	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Marianna Pagkratidou	Module Teacher	Lorraine Boran

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	CA1 Pecha Kucha Presentation (worth: 20%). Presentation following the Pecka Kucha principles on explaining a scientific phenomenon (for the same topic you will write the CA1 script for the video, and you will produce the CA2 5-min video) from the field of psychology.	20%	n/a
Assignment	CA2 Script Assignment (worth: 40%). Deliver the script for the CA3 5-min video. Include references.	40%	n/a
Assignment	CA3 Video Assignment (worth: 40%). Create and deliver a 5-min science communication video that will explain a scientific phenomenon with Clarity, Content and Charisma.	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to science communication theory Science in public Science in media
Science in public Science in media Data Visualisation

Open and Reproducible Science

Narrative or Storytelling n/a

Writing for the non-expert audience
Feature writing News reporting Writing for new media

Broadcasting to the non-expert audience
Journalistic research skills Interview skills Audio production skills

Communication strategies for social media

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling: 2019, Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World - And Why Things Are Better Than You Think, Sceptre,
Rob Brotherton: 2015, Suspicious Minds: Why We Believe Conspiracy Theories, Bloomsbury Sigma,
Ben Goldacre: 2015, I Think Youâ€™ll Find Itâ€™s a Bit More Complicated Than That, Fourth Estate,
Ben Goldacre: 2009, Bad Science, Harper Perennial,
Stuart Ritchie: 2020, Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in Science, Vintage Digital,
Healy, Kieran: 0, Data Visualisation (online), https://socviz.co/lookatdata.html,
National Academy of Sciences: 0, Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda, https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23674/communicating-science-effectively-a-research-agenda,
David E. Sumner and Holly G. Miller.: 2013, Feature & magazine writing, ; Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex, UK, ix, 329, 1118305132
William Zinsser: 2016, On writing well, HarperCollins, New York, 9780060891541
Craig Cormick: 0, The Science of Communicating Science, 148630981X
Massimiano Bucchi (Editor), Brian Trench (Editor): 2014, Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology, Routledge,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None