Training and resources
There are a range of media training schemes, competitions and expert databases available to academics and students, delivered in house and by outside bodies.
Media training: Most funding councils deliver media training for their funded researchers. The BBC Academy frequently runs events and is a good source of guides and information. The Medical Research Council also runs the annual Max Perutz Writing Prize for PhD students.
Science Media Centre: This independent body is set up to improve the reporting of science. It runs an expert list which is widely used by journalists, provides media training, journalist briefings and has a number of resources for academics.
British Science Association Media Fellowships: This is a highly prestigious scheme which sees practising scientists, clinicians and engineers spend two to six weeks working at the heart of a media outlet such as the Guardian or BBC Breakfast.
Sense About Science: This is an independent charity that challenges misrepresentation of science and evidence in public life. It runs a number of workshops, competitions and networking events, many of these have a media focus.
New Generation Thinkers: This is an annual scheme to find academics to present humanities research and ideas in the media. It is run by the AHRC in conjunction with BBC Radio 3.
Famelab: This is an international science communications competition. There are local heats and the UK final is held at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
Experts databases: Databases are kept by a number of groups, with many focussing on under-represented groups in the media. A large list can be found on the 500 Women Scientists website.
The Conversation: As members of this news site, we are eligible to run several training sessions each year for potential wiriters. Get in touch with media.relations@manchester.ac.uk if you’re interested in finding out more.
Other opportunities: A range of other science communications opportunities are advertised on the Public Engagement at Manchester website.
A guide to providing media comment: This National Geographic article by leading science writer Ed Yong has dos and don’ts for academics commenting on other people’s research.
In house media training: In partnership with Learning and Organisational Development, the Directorate of Communications, Marketing and Student Recruitment are offering a limited number of places to academic staff on a media training course. Delivered on campus by MediaFirst, these courses are run four times a year and take half a day to complete. Participants are coached in interview techniques and take part in face-to-face and TV interviews about their area of expertise with a journalist. Feedback and recording are available after the event.