Speaking Science



What is Speaking Science?



This is a training initiative started in 2009 by Seán Duke, Joint Editor, and co-founder of Science Spin. The initiative is aimed at providing scientists in Ireland and 4th level students with the practical tools to become better communicators, and, thus, further their careers.



What modules are available?



There are three, specially customised workshops on offer. One of these is aimed at scientists working at third-level and in industry, while another is geared towards 4th level students, both MSc.s and PhDs. There is a third module that is aimed at those scientists or students that would like to sign up on an individual basis.



(1) Click for details of Speaking Science content for staff.



(2) Click for details of Speaking Science content for 4th level students.



(3) Click for details of Speaking Science content for individuals.



Where do they take place?



The workshops can take place either 'in house', or 'on campus' at a third-level institution, or research facility, or at a convenient off site venue.



Who is the trainer?



The training is provided by Seán Duke. Sean has a BSc (Zoology, Geology and Botany, UCD), a BA (History, TCD), an MA (Science and Environmental Reporting, (New York University), and a Higher Diploma in Education (UCD).



Seán began his working life as a Biology teacher in Co Kildare. After a few years, he began writing on a freelance basis, and in 1995 he moved into journalism full-time.



He freelanced from 1995 to 1998 and then took up his first full-time journalism post as a senior reporter with the Liffey Champion, a busy local newspaper covering the very fast growing areas of north Kildare, and west Dublin.



During his time at the Champion, Seán initiated regular coverage of research developments at the local Co Kildare university, NUI Maynooth.



In 2000 he become Joint Editor, and later Editor of Technology Ireland, the flagship publication of the state agency, Enterprise Ireland.



In 2003, in response to the lack of science coverage in the Irish media, Seán, and two colleagues, set up Science Spin - Ireland's first popular science magazine.



Today he is Joint Editor of Science Spin, but he continues to contribute on a freelance basis to The Sunday Times (Ireland edition), Science (AAAS), and The Scientist.



He has a regular TV science slot on TV3's breakfast show, Ireland AM, and is the creator and presenter of the 'Science Spin' half-hour science programme on 103.2 Dublin City FM. This is scheduled to start on Thursday 8th October, at 3:30pm and will run for 13 weeks.



Seán is also currently working as a researcher/writer with RTE's ongoing science series, The Investigators.This is the third in the series.



For examples of Seán's recent work, see his Blog Science Spinning.



How can I find out more?



In order to make a booking, or to get further details, please contact, Alan Doherty, Business Development Manager, Speaking Science, at: alan@sciencespin.com, or call: 01 284 2909.