Communication Academy

The ¡°Basics of Science Communication¡± course offers participants a compact introduction to key themes of science communication.

The course focuses on the following topics:

• Science communication: functions, roles and trends
• Conceptual basics: how do I communicate effectively?
• Science and media with a focus on the Swiss media system
• Social media: opportunities and risks, channels and trends
• Newer formats: videos, podcasts, interactive events

Participants learn how to start writing by using improvisation techniques. They learn that failure is not a reason to give up, but rather a valuable tool, also in science communication.

The course is dedicated to the following topics:

• Participants can overcome writer's block by using improvisation techniques in a playful way.
• With the help of short exercises, collaborative storytelling and rapid drafting, participants will learn how to transform complex research findings into texts that are easy for a non-specialist audience to understand.
• The course promotes creativity, experimentation and curiosity, offering practical tools for generating ideas that can be used in science communication.

You will learn the most important elements that make up good stories, analyze your science from the perspective of storytelling and apply the learned lessons on your research by hands-??on work.

For one day, the course is dedicated to the following topics:

• Introduction & storytelling basics
• Transform your research into stories: Identify your story elements;
• Frame your story for different audiences
• Presentations and discussion

Whether it¡¯s Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram, social media enables researchers to share their work directly with a wider public.

The course is dedicated to the following topics in one day:

• What opportunities and risks does social media present for researchers?
• Basics: what should I keep in mind before I communicate?
• Target groups, channels, formats, messages, timing
• Best practices

How can I, as a researcher, engage in political processes at a national level, and who are the relevant stakeholders? What rolecan I take on in collaboration with political decision-makers?

This full day workshop provides insights into these questions through expert lectures and hands-on exercises while equipping participants with competencies at the interface of science and policy, with a particular focus on Switzerland.

• Learn where and how researchers can engage in the political process at a national level and who therelevant stakeholders are.
• Gain a better understanding of the roles of researchers and policymakers.
• Learn how to create a policy outreach plan.

The purpose of the workshop is to introduce the participants to the general principles of design. By the end of the workshop the participants should have a good grasp of the visual basics and be able to apply them practically in a wide variety of projects (presentations, posters and more).

The course is divided into two modules that take place on different days.

The emphasis of the course is to develop visual skills without the need for technical language and confusing terminology. The workshop is specifically tailored to address the scientists¡¯ needs.

• Basic design elements: how we digest visual information
• Typography: creating typographical hierarchy / enhancing readability
• Introduction to colour theory / composition basics
• Presentation: creating the narrative / maximising information retention
• Discussing practical examples
• Students assignment
• Feedback round

Participants learn how to present their scientific topics to non-??expert audiences in formats such as TED, FameLab, IdeasLab (WEF), or Falling Walls. The workshop is divided into two modules of 4 hours each, held on different days.

Module 1

• Presentation skills (stage movement, body language, gesticulation)
• Stress management
• Voice, diction, and breathing
• Structure of an engaging presentation
• Dos and Dont's when using PP slides
• Improvisation and answering unexpected questions
• Present science to non-??expert audiences

Module 2

• Each participant presents one speech (with PPT/ plus improvised presentation)
• Individual feedback

Whether it¡¯s for an opinion piece in the newspaper, a public lecture or a text on your own website, writing comprehensibly for a non-??scientific public is one of the most important skills in science communication.

The course is divided into two modules of 150 minutes each, held on different days.

Module 1 covers the basics:

• Planning a text: target groups, objectives, messages
• Storytelling: how can I turn my topic into a story?
• Style and tone: how do I write in a way that will engage a general audience?
• In-?course exercise: framing your story, developing headlines
• Task for module 2: composing a text using the knowledge gained in the course

In module 2, participants practise what they have learned:

• Feedback using some texts from participants
• Discussion of best practice examples

If you want to reach a younger, non-??scientific audience, you can't get around videos these days. Participants learn how to create their own science video, from the idea to the final edit.

The workshop is divided into two days:

Module 1 covers the basics:

• Journalism and Storytelling: pitching, developing and researching to transform a research story into a journalistic story
• Screenwriting and Storyboarding
  
• Participants are given the opportunity to film their own videos during the two weeks between the first part and the second part

In module 2, participants practice what they have learned:

• Camera, lighting and audio (material will be provided by the trainer and the multimedia of the ETH)
• Film editing (using Premiere Pro Software)

This workshop is designed to introduce attendees to the exciting world of AI and its potential for enhancing creativity in writing and science communication. The aim is to provide hands-on experience in using AI tools and techniques to boost writing productivity, generate new ideas, and test new forms of science communication. The workshop is suitable for anyone interested in using technology to enhance their creative processes and testing new tools. No prior experience is required, as the class also teaches the basics of science communication.

The workshop is divided into two modules, held on different days.

You learn the most important elements in using AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools and techniques to boost writing productivity, generate new ideas and test new forms of science communication.

• Catch up with the most recent AI tools
• Create and generate different kinds of content with AI
• Expand your creativity and explore new possibilities of science communication
• Learn the basics of science communication
  

In this course you will learn how to develop a socially relevant story about your research, outline your ideas and develop and present a prototype.

• Introduction to creative science communication
  (Cultural context and social relevance, instruments and methods)
• The role of art and design in science communication
• Exchange on public relations practice; science fairs and youth workshops
• How to address your audience - developing a socially relevant
  relevant story about your research (e.g. for Scientifica 2026)
• Working out visual and aesthetic metaphors from your research
• Prototyping / sketching the idea
• Development of the prototype, feedback from the peer group
• Presentation of the prototype and feedback in the plenum
• Refinement of the prototype and development of further ideas
• Introduction to impact evaluation

How can I present my research convincingly and effectively to the media in front of the camera? As an expert, how can I explain complex issues well and clearly, and how do I deal with the media in tricky situations?

Participants gain the tools they need to deal with members of the media. The focus is on TV appearances.

In this 240-minute course, you will learn a lot about the media and how to deal professionally with media professionals. You will receive valuable tips on how to appear confidently in front of a camera and microphone, and you will also practise this on site. (Please note that this course is only available in German.)

Our course focuses on the following topics:

• Appearing in front of the camera: What is important?
• Understanding better means working better together: What makes the media tick?
• What are my rights? And what are the no-gos?
• How do I prepare myself optimally?
• Formulating statements that go down well
• Plus: exercise sequences, checklists and sharing experiences

Get fit for your next media appearance and develop a passion for media work!

This course provides researchers and professors with a practical introduction to the German-speaking and international media landscape. Participants gain insight into how journalism works and what journalists expect when reporting on scientific research. Through hands-on exercises, you will learn how to distill complex findings into clear, compelling, audience-oriented messages, and how to develop strong core statements that accurately reflect your work.

This session will be conducted in English and may include an invited  journalist to put your workshop skills into practice.

During this 180-minute course, participants focus on:

• The role and responsibility of the media for science and for society
• Journalists¡¯ working methods, expectations, and the key differences between German-language and international media
• Structured, targeted preparation for media interviews
• Developing clear, memorable, and audience-focused core messages that make your research understandable and relevant

How does science-based policy advice workand what are the opportunities and challenges?

Through experience reports from ETH researchers and policy actors, this Brown Bag session offers a discussion platform on the role of science in policy and provides insights into the world of science-based policy advice.

• Gain insights into the world of science-based policy advice
• Learn from concrete experience reports how ETH researchers can contribute to science-based policy advice