“The Conversation” – Call for Articles

ConversationUK-Logo_RGB_CS1-large_1_407_86The University has now joined a project called ‘The Conversation’, a free-to-read website containing topical articles written by academics. It’s intended to be an alternative to the mass media – allowing academics the freedom to write evidence based think-pieces without their words being twisted to suit media agendas. It’s also good for giving early career researchers a platform and some writing practice if they want to test their ideas out and build some confidence.

The process involves the academic submitting their text to the website, then changes are batted back and forth between them and the editor, and then the academic has to give final approval before it’s published. All articles are creative commons so you would be able to cut and paste them onto your own websites.

In Michaelmas Term there will be an introductory session for interested academics to attend at which “The Conversation” editors will speak. Subsequently there will be small group training for any academics who want more guidance about how to write a good piece.

If you are interested, please contact Carolyne Culver who will put you in touch with the relevant person within “The Conversation”.

To view the website – Click Here
To sign up as a reader – Click Here

Royal Society Writing and Media Skills – Training

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Scientists communicating their work is key to expanding the frontiers of knowledge, and the Royal Society’s courses will help you to do this effectively and memorably. These courses are designed exclusively for scientists, and are tutored by leading communication specialists.

Writing about your research:
Effective communication skills allow scientists to share their work with wider audiences and so enhance the contribution of science to society.  Such skills can also help to secure research funding and build collaborations across disciplines. This course trains scientists to write about their research for non-specialist readers in a variety of contexts, from press releases and news stories, to longer features that sustain the interest of audiences through narrative, and articles for online social media. >>More Info

Date: 29th April 2015
Time: 9:30-17:00
Location: Carlton House Terrace, London
Cost: £450

Media Skills Training:
On this one-day course you will work with an experienced TV production team, a top voice coach, and a leading science communicator to prepare and practice media interviews.  During the course you will discover how the media works, and how to use that knowledge. You will be shown how to interrogate your work into a story the media will be interested in, and what to expect when the media calls. The tutors will work with you to prepare your story for interview, and you will learn techniques so that you, and your message, come across as well as possible. >>More Info

Date: 21st May 2015
Time: 9:00-17:00
Location: Carlton House Terrace, London
Cost: £450

Residential Course (Writing about Research + Media Skills Training):
This two-day residential course covers Writing about your research on Day 1, which includes key principles for communicating research effectively to non-specialist audiences, and Media skills training on Day 2, enabling participants to develop their experience further for interactions with print, broadcast and online media. Its residential format also enables further discussion of social and ethical issues for specific research areas, and the utility of the skills in writing funding applications and generating “impact” from research. >>More Info

Date: 22nd-23rd June 2015
Time: 2 Full Days
Location: Chicheley Hall, London
Cost: £900

To register for a course – Click Here

NCTEM Magazine – Writers needed!

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The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) is looking for new writers and/or a new writer/editor for its monthly, online Secondary Magazine.

The aim of the magazine is to provide a topical mix of maths education news and items that dig a little deeper into pedagogy and research. They have a variety of topic pieces, as well as regular features, and the position will be paid!

If you are interested, please email steve.mccormack@ncetm.org.uk by 12pm on Thursday 2nd April with a brief explanation of why you’re interested, any relevant maths teaching and writing experience, and what you might bring to the role.

In addition, they request the first couple of sentences (max 50 words in total) of:
• one item that might appear in the Heads Up section of the magazine, and
• one item that might appear in any of the other regular sections.

To find out more about the NCETM Magazine – Click Here
To view the advertisement – Click Here