CABI News

Script – the free training and networking resource for journalists, scientists and anyone who wants to communicate science in an engaging and accurate way – has launched its own dedicated website scripttraining.net

The website gathers in one place the free training resources and materials and provides more information on the service, which is made possible by funding from the Robert Bosch Stiftung and implemented by SciDev.Net, including its featured courses produced by SciDev.Net’s Training Coordinator Dr Charles Wendo: ‘Reporting the science of COVID-19’, ‘Science communication skills for journalists,’ and ‘Media skills for scientists.’

Also included in the new website are seven practical guides: ‘How to report the science of COVID-19,’ ‘How to give a science flash talk,’ ‘How to report scientific findings,’ ‘How to find the right journalist to report on your research,’ ‘How to convince the media to report about your research,’ ‘How to report from lab visits and field trips,’ and ‘How to become a star journalist from scratch.’

In addition, Script – as promoted on the new website – also offers bespoke training packages to organisations and institutions who would like to improve the capacity and capability of their staff to communicate or report on science. This training can take a variety of forms, from face-to-face training workshops, through online webinars to tailored online courses.

So far, since its inception in 2018 at the Next Einstein Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Script has provided training to over 8,556 people either directly in person or online.

For example, in 2018/19 more than 200 journalism students at Makerere University, Uganda, benefited from Script training which covered topics including ‘how to simplify science without compromising its meaning’ and ‘how to cover scientific controversies.’

Furthermore, in 2019 Script gave course graduates who published an article with The Conversation Africa the chance to be mentored at the publication’s office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Paul Dawson, SciDev.Net’s Commercial Director, said, “The new Script website is our new shop window to a suite of free courses and guides that stem from over 15 years’ experience of delivering training to both researchers and journalists in science communication, science journalism and indeed anyone who wants to communicate science in a more simplified and effective way.

“For the first time, scripttraining.net brings together the full range of courses, guides, information on bespoke training and news in one easy-to-access and navigate space – whether you are reading on a desktop or laptop computer, tablet or mobile phone.

“By connecting reporters and researchers, and giving both groups the skills to understand and communicate with each other, Script aims to increase the quantity and quality of science-related stories in the news.

“We believe this is essential to enable informed, evidence-based decision-making, by everyone from individuals to policymakers.”

Script currently has six partners made up of some of the most forward-thinking media and academic institutions in Africa. These include Nasarawa State University, Nigeria, Makerere University, Uganda, Moi University, Kenya, The University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Nation Media Group and Vision Group. Script has also worked with Radio Nigeria and The Conversation Africa.

Additional information

Photo: DW Global Media Forum 2019 | 11 | Street Debate | How can African journalists shape the image of their continent — at home and abroad? | Bruce Amani (Journalist, DW, Germany) in debate with participants hosted by Deutsche Welle (Credit: Deutsche Welle Unternehmen under licence CC BY-NC 2.0).

See also the following relevant news stories:

‘Makerere University joins Script training course aimed at nurturing future science journalists.’
‘SciDev.Net launches free course to help journalists report the science of COVID-19.’
‘Script project paves the way for Uganda’s first Annual Media Convention dedicated to science journalism.’
‘African scientists eager to share their research get a boost with Script and The Conversation Africa Science Communication competition.’

About Script

Script is made possible by funding from the Robert Bosch Stiftung and is implemented by SciDev.Net

It is a free training and networking resource for journalists, scientists and anyone who wants to communicate science in an engaging and accurate way.

Find out more about Script training by SciDev.Net – including courses, guides, news, and bespoke training from scripttraining.net

About SciDev.Net

SciDev.Net is the world’s leading source of reliable and authoritative news, views and analysis about science and technology for global development.

Our Mission is to use independent journalism to help individuals and organisations apply science to decision-making in order to drive equitable, sustainable development and poverty reduction. SciDev.Net is part of CAB International (CABI) – a not-for-profit organisation that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

SciDev.Net operates editorially independently from CABI with its content overseen by an independent Editorial Advisory Committee whose role is to ensure our editorial independence protocol is adhered to. The protocol is available on request.

Find out more about SciDev.Net