PCST training across the world – Conclusions from a curriculum analysis

Author: Alexander Gerber – Rhine-Waal University | Institute for Science & Innovation Communication, Germany

Co-author: Allison Hadden – Rhine-Waal University

The proposed Individual Paper intends to continue a discussion from a panel session at PCST 2016, hosted by the same author, about concepts and contents of PCST training programmes around the world, which have changed alongside the seismic shifts in our profession.

In the meantime, an intellectual content analysis has been conducted by our department which allows us to typologise dozens of programmes as to how they intend to prepare the next generation of science communicators for their tasks. Based on these empirical results, which are probably the first-ever evidence-base of the global training landscape, the workshop is expected to discuss the lessons we have learned over the years from offering Bachelors and Masters’s degrees or PGDs in different countries and institutional contexts, be it full- or part-time, on campus, entirely virtual or blended? What are the obstacles in updating curricula? Which methodological skill-set will professionals need?

The empirical analysis is being incorporated into a global search engine at the moment, hosted at Rhine-Waal University. Young people will soon be able to identify the programme which fits best to their needs.

It is furthermore planned for January / February 2018 to produce video interviews with course leaders from around the world to showcase the variety of approaches and explain the differences between courses. Such statements could effectively be used in the proposed conference session to represent those institutions which cannot be present in Dunedin.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Individual paper
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Teaching science communication