Dialogue Academy

dialogue academy is all about helping professional science communicators gain the ideas, tools, skills and techniques to use dialogue and debate to engage audiences in contemporary science issues. Whether you are new to using dialogue to engage audiences or want to gain new skills, share your experiences and get new ideas, the academy has something for everyone.

• Dates and locations of the academies
• What the academies cover
• Why there is a gap between days two and three of the academies
• Who is eligible to attend
• It's free!
• How to apply

When and where

There are four dialogue academies in locations across the UK

• 23-24 September and 25 November 2009 : Explore-At-Bristol FINISHED
• 11-12 January and 26 March 2010 : Thinktank, Birmingham FULL
• 27-28 January and 30 March 2010 : Glasgow Science Centre
• 20-21 April and 14 June : Centre for Life, Newcastle

What the academies cover

During the academies you will be given the opportunity to explore what makes a successful dialogue event, learn practical facilitation skills, find out which topics and questions evoke debate, and gain ideas and tools for use with different audiences. You will find out about funding for dialogue events, gain resources for use in your own organisation and be given the opportunity to consider and plan your own dialogue event.

The academy modules cover:

• Why engage audiences with dialogue
• Facilitation skills
• A dialogue activity marketplace
• Dialogue with different audiences
• Dialogue and fundraising
• What makes a good dialogue topic
• Planning your own dialogue activity
• Embedding dialogue in everyday practice

Why there's a gap between days two and three

The academies are completed over three days, the first two of which are residential. During the first two days of the academy, participants will start to develop their own new dialogue activity or event. In the weeks between days two and three, participants will be expected to continue development of this activity or event and trial it with an audience.

As part of your application we will ask you to outline an idea of what this activity or event will be, as well as a predicted date(s) you anticipate trialling the activity with an audience. We realise that during the academy your ideas might change as you discover more about dialogue,but not to worry, as long as you are committed and have the time to develop a dialogue activity between days 2 and 3 of the academy, we want you on the course.

Eligibility

dialogue academy is for UK science communication professionals. Applications are encouraged from members of, and organisations affiliated to, the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. Freelance science communicators working within the science communication sector are also welcome to apply. The academy is aimed at science communicators whose roles involve face-to-face interactions with public or school audiences.

Support from your organisation

We ask that you to give us the name of someone from your organisation that will support you in the development and delivery of your dialogue event or activity. We also ask that this person supports you in passing on the learning from the academy to the rest of your team or organisation through training or other sharing practice. The person might be your line-manager, your programs manager, head of learning or your contact at the venue where you will deliver your activity.

Places are are subject to availability.

It's free!

Thanks to the generous support of the Wellcome Trust we are are able to offer the academies for free. Plus, on top of free course fees we will also provide food, accommodation* and travel expenses**.

Just to be clear: the training is free; we pay for your travel; we pay for your food! The only thing your organisation needs to cover is staff time. This is pretty exceptional and only possible thanks to the generous support of the Wellcome Trust

In order to reserve a place on the academy however, you will need to arrange a deposit of £50. This may be paid by cheque or credit card. Cheques will only be cashed if you cancel within two weeks (14 days) of the start of the academy or if you fail to attend all three days of the academy. Otherwise your cheque will be returned to you at the end of the academy.

*accommodation is for the night between days 1 and 2 of the academy and will be pre-booked by academy organisers.
**travel costs are from your normal UK residence to the academy. Please try to book any rail or air tickets in advance to keep costs at a reasonable price. You will need receipts in order for us to reimburse your travel costs.

Use the application form to apply for a place on dialogue academy.