Stempra’s annual flagship one-day training event is back! Join us at our Communications Training Day (formerly known as Press Officer Training Day) for fresh ideas, expert guidance and best practice in science communication. Come learn, share, be inspired and network with science communicators and meet leading science, health and technology journalists all under one roof.
Who should come?
Are you an early career science communicator? Whether you work in academia, industry, the corporate sector, charities, agencies, or cultural institutions, there will be something for you!
All that we ask is that you are a current Stempra member. If not, sign up now via the website.
Why should you come?
The training day is a valuable opportunity to hone your skills in a rapidly changing sector and connect with peers who understand the challenges and excitement of science communication.
Where is it?
This year the training day is being held at the Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE. Wellcome’s Gibbs building is fully accessible and easy to get to by train, tube and bus. There is no remote option, as we want to encourage as much networking as possible.
Programme
09:15-09:45: Registration and tea, coffee, water, pastries
09:45-10:00: Welcome and intro from:
- Inês Crespo, Stempra Events Coordinator and Research Communications and Engagement Lead, University of Glasgow
- tbc, Wellcome Trust
- Ashley Phan, Membership and Marketing Manager, EurekAlert!
10:00-11:00: Meet the journalists with:
- Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent, The Sun
- Ella Pickover, Health Correspondent, PA
- Steph Spyro, Deputy Political Editor and Environment Editor, Express
- Esme Stallard, National reporter Climate and Science team, BBC
11:00-11:30: Break with refreshments
11:30-12:30: Communicating the value of comms to researchers and senior leaders with:
- Chair: Alice Henchley, Director of Communications, Integrity, Ethics and Editorial Policy, Springer Nature
- Athena Dinar, Head of Media and Deputy Head of Communications, British Antarctic Survey
- Simon Hall, Course leader for Compelling Communications Skills, University of Cambridge
- Sarah Collins, Research Communications Manager, University of Cambridge
- Georgia Broome, Head of Comms and Marketing at Oxford University Innovation
12.30-13:00: Career journeys in science communication with:
- Lisa Boucher, Communications Manager, Springer Nature
- Maria Tennant – Senior Media and Communications Manager, Imperial Healthcare Trust
- Al McCartney – Head of Communications and Engagement, Imperial Faculty of Medicine
- Chris Buratta – Communications Manager at Schmidt Science Fellows
13:00-14:30: Lunch and networking
14:30-15:30: Building trust in the age of misinformation with:
- Shayoni Lynn, CEO and Founder, Lynn
- Freya Robb, Senior Press Officer, Science Media Centre
- Mark Frankel, Head of Public Affairs, Full Fact
15:30-16:30: Communicating stats: ‘do’s and don’ts’ for science communication with:
- David Spiegelhalter, Emeritus Professor of Statistics, University of Cambridge and Non-Executive Director, UK Statistics Authority
16:30: Closing remarks
17:00 onwards: Networking drinks at the Euston Flyer: 83-87 Euston Road, London NW1 2RA
Getting here
Please come to the main entrance of the Gibbs Building at 215 Euston Road. Wellcome staff will greet you at the large glass entrance. The building is fully accessible and easy to get to by train, tube and bus.
Note: please do not enter via the Wellcome Collection (stone entrance) as you will not be able to access the event this way.
Support
If you are just starting out in your career or work for an organisation with a limited budget, there is support to cover travel costs available through the Dianne Stilwell bursary.
There is also some support to cover additional childcare costs.
If you would like to apply for these types of support, please contact info@stempra.org.uk.
Thank you to our sponsor and host
This year’s Communications Training Day has been made possible thanks to the kind support of EurekAlert! – Stempra’s lead professional development partner – and the Wellcome Trust.