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The work of scientists does not end with publishing their results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at specialized conferences. In fact, one could argue that the work of a scientist only starts at this point: outreach. What does outreach mean? Very simply, it means to engage with the wider (non-scientific) public about science. There are many ways to do outreach, including blogging and vlogging, using social media, writing for a science dissemination journal, participating as a speaker at local science festivals, organising open days in the laboratory, and so on.

With this short course, we aim to give practical examples of different outreach activities, how to start an outreach project and tips and suggestions from personal and peers’ experiences. Specific attention will be paid to science communication issues, including the proper ‘translation’ of the jargon of science into language the public understands, the selection of the content being conveyed, and the best format in which it is presented according to the different targets (policymakers, the general public, school-age children, etc.).
In the last part of the course, you will work singularly to come up with an outreach idea based on your research. You may use it on your next proposal; you never know!