New Imperial studentships established to help scientists train for a career in the media

Young scientists encouraged to enter the broadcast industry to improve science communication - News

Friday 23 January 2009
By Naomi Weston

Encouraging young scientists to take up a career in the broadcast industry is the aim behind two new studentships at Imperial College London.

Postdoctoral scientists can apply now for a studentship to undertake the MSc in Science Media Production in Imperial’s Department of Humanities.

The studentship offers a grant for the cost of the tuition fees plus £18,000 for living expenses over an 18 month period, covering the one-year MSc and working in the broadcast industry for six months.

Funding for the scheme comes from the Wellcome Trust as part of its public engagement programme.

Dr Stephen Webster, acting director of the Science Communication Group at the College, says: “We are delighted with these new bursaries from the Wellcome Trust. It is important that we provide serious media training for scientists and that the public has access to better quality science programming.”

He adds: “Good science communication requires expertise both in science and in media skills. You just have to look at that 2007 documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle, which denied anthropogenic climate change. What a distortion of science and scientists! Media companies really need to have people there who understand the science.”

New studentships in Science Media Production

The MSc programme gives students an in-depth practical training in television, film and radio production. Students have the opportunity to research, script, shoot and edit their own programme based on their ideas for a new radio or television documentary. The course also looks at current debates about the representation of science in the media, film theory and the history and philosophy of science.

The Wellcome Trust offers over £3 million a year to support projects that aim to inform and inspire the public about biomedical science, including the new studentships at Imperial. Rachel Hillman, Broadcast Manager at the Wellcome Trust says: “If the broadcast media is to truly represent and reflect the world around us we believe that it is important that it is produced by people from a variety of different backgrounds. By supporting bright, articulate and motivated scientists in exploring a career in the broadcast industry we hope to add value to the Imperial course and, ultimately, to impact on the future of science in the media.”

She adds: “We are especially pleased to introduce a six month work placement to the scheme. The placements will offer an invaluable ‘foot in the door’ for students and should give the experience they need to launch a career in the broadcast media.”

Applicants for the studentships should be trained scientists wishing to explore a career in the broadcast media. They must have a PhD or equivalent, some experience of science communication, and a demonstrable aptitude for working with TV, radio or film.

The deadline for applicants is the 27 February 2009. Please visit: www3.imperial.ac.uk/humanities/sciencecommunicationgroup/masters/funding

For more information about the Wellcome Trust’s Public Engagement programme please visit: www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/index.htm

For more information on the Wellcome Trust’s Broadcast media strategy please visit: www.wellcome.ac.uk/Achievements-and-Impact/Initiatives/Public-engagement/Broadcast-media-strategy/