Science Communication: From Lab to Web

Funding programme of Graduate Academy

Scientist holding a megaphone

Image: AdobeStock/puresolution; Bearbeitung: GA

The programme "Science Communication: From Lab to Web" is aimed at doctoral candidates from the STEM subjects at the University of Jena who would like to present themselves on social media platforms with their own content and formats.

The doctoral candidates get together in structured meetings that allow them to present their own ideas, get feedback, inspiration and motivation. These peer meetings are complemented by talks with experts from the field of science communication. The talks are intended to give the doctoral candidates an insight into the field of science communication and to show them how science communication can be used for their own careers.

The programme is launched for the first time in summer 2022. Up to eight doctoral candidates will be accepted into the one-year programme. The programme can be conducted in English as well as in German. The language will be determined after the selection of the doctoral candidates has taken place. Applications can be submitted until 31 July.

The programme is part of the project "Natural Sciences in Industry and Society" and is funded by the Joachim Herz FoundationExternal link.

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Announcement "From Lab to Web"

We were looking for doctoral candidates in the natural sciences who are interested in and enjoy communicating their own research content in an entertaining way - preferably with charm or wit.

Which type of content should be communicated?

Different scientific contents can be presented: data collection and data processing, (initial) research results or the entire doctoral project. As part of the strategy development, the doctoral candidates check to what extent the content they want to communicate is suitable for the time period, frequency and channel.

It is not only about research results: in the context of social media, it is also important to show the audience that there is a common person behind the account publishing content. In this respect, posts about one's own cultural background, hobbies, special Jena experiences or stories from the institute can also be published in a relaxed manner.
How should the social media content be communicated?

Doctoral candidates can use both text and images to create their content. Images can be static images (photography or drawing) or moving images (video or animation). Texts can be written in English or German.
Through which channels should it be communicated?

In the project outline, the doctoral candidates themselves determine which channel they would like to use to communicate. After the first workshop, they can of course revise this decision. The programme supports doctoral candidates who would like to communicate research on one of the following social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok.
Focus „Dance your PhD“

The Graduate Academy would like to support particularly talented doctoral candidates in producing a "Dance your PhD" video. This is about filming a single video with music and dance. More information on the international competition can be found here „Dance your PhDExternal link“.

As part of this focus, a video is to be submitted to this competition at the end. Doctoral candidates who would like to create such a video should indicate this intention directly in the project outline. If the project outline is approved, the Graduate Academy will support the doctoral candidates financially and organisationally, for example with the filming or in the search for partners for the dance or music.

Programme schedule

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Getting started

The first step is a project draft of the doctoral candidate's project. The project outline is submitted with the application and evaluated by the selection committee. In the project draft, the doctoral candidates should explain which target group they want to address, what content they want to communicate and through which channels they want to do this.

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Revision of the project draft

The draft is revised with professional guidance during the first joint workshop on communication strategy. The doctoral candidates learn how to prepare complex research content in a way that is appropriate for the target group. They also learn how to coach each other and support each other in communication tasks in collegial exchange during conception and implementation.

Slips of paper with topics of the qualification

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Expanding competencies

After the first workshop, the doctoral candidates consider what other tools they need to implement their project. Based on this, workshops on topics such as storytelling or image design are then organised.

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Peer meetings

The doctoral candidates meet regularly every two months and report on the progress of their work in the group. The exchange in the group is intended to serve as an impulse and feedback round.

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Talks with experts

Four meetings with experts in the field of science communication will be organised as part of the programme. These talks may focus on science communication at non-university research institutions, policy advice or science journalism.

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Implementation and establishment

Three to six months after the start of the programme, the doctoral candidates begin to regularly publish articles according to their project plan. The aim of the programme is for the doctoral candidates to have established their own formats by the end of the twelve months and to be able to maintain them independently.