Telling stories about science

Course Programme

Please plan to arrive at 09.00am each day for coffee/tea.

Day 1: 06 Febuary 2019 Storytelling for scientists

09:30 Why are stories important?

11:15 Coffee

11:30 Identifying key elements within a familiar story.

12:30 Lunch

13:15 What's your wow? Looking at the emotional impact of a story

14:45 Tea

15:00 Putting it into practice: creating and sharing stories individually and within groups

16:45 Wrap up and evaluation

Day 2: 07 Febuary 2019 Do you speak 'Scinglish' ?

09:30 What is 'Scinglish' and why does it matter?

11:15 Coffee

11:30 Jargon busting: translating science into 'Scinglish' 

12:30 Lunch

13:15 Creating and using effective analogies

14:45 Tea

15:00 Putting it into practice: creating and sharing sparkling 'Scinglish' stories

16:45 Wrap up and evaluation

Day 3: 08 Febuary 2019 Hitting the headlines

09:30 What do we mean by the 'media' and why should scientists interact with it?

11:15 Coffee

11:30 Selling in your story - identifying newsworthy elements and key messages

12:30 Lunch

13:15 Anantomy of a press release - analysing and writing press releases

14:45 Tea

15:00 What do press officers want? and what do journalists want?

16:45 Wrap up and evaluation

Dietary requirements

If you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies please inform our Admissions Team on ice.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262 if you have not already advised us of your requirements.

Additional requirements

ICE is committed to providing equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality. We aim to support and encourage under-represented groups, promote an inclusive culture, and value diversity.

Further information about student support.

Course materials

A booklist, course syllabus and detailed timetable are circulated as far as possible in advance of a course. You will receive these documents by email if you have provided us with your email address; please check your spam folder if you have not received these documents. You can also download material from the Documents section at the bottom of this page.

No academic qualification is required of applicants, and most courses are suitable for students who are new to the subject.

All teaching is in English (unless a foreign-language course). If your first language is not English, you need to satisfy yourself that you have the required near-native command of the language to get the maximum benefit from studying with ICE.

This course takes place at Madingley Hall, home to the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education.

As a student at Madingley Hall, you will enjoy award-winning cuisine in our elegant Dining Hall and first-rate facilities in an atmospheric and inspiring setting. You can choose to stay at the Hall in comfortable en-suite accommodation for the duration of your course, or attend as a non-resident.

Residential fees cover tuition, accommodation and full board, including morning coffee and afternoon tea during teaching hours, and travel on excursions. The non-residential fee includes all meals on the course except breakfast.

About Madingley Hall

Built in the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, and is set in eight acres of landscaped gardens designed in the 18th century by ‘Capability’ Brown. It is just four miles from the centre of Cambridge, and only 60 minutes from London, with excellent links to London airports.

Getting here

For those arriving by train, we have an arrangement with a local taxi company to collect students from Cambridge railway station for a small fee of £4.

We also now have a mini-bus service which runs between the station and Madingly Hall weekday mornings between 06:45 and 09:25 and evenings between 16:45 and 19:25. Please contact the reception desk at ICE for more details.

For more information see directions to Madingley Hall.

Accommodation

Accommodation for residential students is provided in single, twin or double study bedrooms in the Hall, with attractive views over the woods, gardens and courtyard.

Each room has internet access, digital television and a direct-dial telephone, as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities and a safe for your valuables. Rooms are centrally heated and all have en-suite facilities.

A special lift gives access to two rooms adapted for wheelchair users, and all areas on the ground floor can be reached once inside the building. If you would like us to make any special provision for your stay, please contact us beforehand and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

We are usually able to offer accommodation before and after your course should you wish to extend your stay. Please indicate if you would like to stay an extra night when booking your place.