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Strategic Communications in STEM, Environment and Healthcare

Strategic Communications in STEM, Environment and Healthcare

Outlining the various models and activities of science and technology communication across sectors.
Open for application
DescriptionOutcomesPotential progressInformationProviders

Our Challenge

This ELO takes as a starting point the contrasting approaches of strategic and marketing communications with the more recent public engagement policy agenda in science, technology, engineering, maths, environment and healthcare. We look critically at the strengths and weaknesses of each and ways the two approaches can combine, exploring the models and activities in research and practice that engaged stakeholders and the public in science and technology.

The Team

PM
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Padraig Murphy
Teamcher
0 learners
Topics
-
Study format
Hybrid
Application period
29 September – 5 December 2025
Study period
12 January – 30 April 2026
Credits
10 ECTS
Hosting university
Dublin City University
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Learning outcomes

LO3 - Learning Outcome 3

Apply leadership in managing science or health education and public engagement initiatives

ESCO SKILLS

Set inclusion policiesDevelop contingency plans for emergenciesApply risk management processesMinimise environmental impact on the surrounding areaRaise awareness on local community's prioritiesParticipate actively in civic lifeWork within communitiesSolve problemsThink creativelyThink holisticallyShow responsibilityMeet commitmentsBrainstorm ideasCreate new conceptsDemonstrate willingness to learnThink innovatelyImproviseShow empathyWork in teamsConflict managementSelf-management skills and competencesPlanDemonstrate enthusiasmPersistKeep an open mindDeal with uncertaintyRespect the diversity of cultural values and normsDemonstrate intercultural competenceSearch for information onlineEvaluate data, information and digital contentDigital competencies

LO1 - Learning Outcome 1

Understand and analyse the many social processes linking science and society and the social contexts for technologies and science

ESCO SKILLS

Assist communityRaise awareness on local community's prioritiesParticipate actively in civic lifeWork within communitiesSolve problemsThink creativelyThink holisticallyAssume responsibility for maintaining a safe ship environmentMeet commitmentsBrainstorm ideasCreate new conceptsDemonstrate willingness to learnThink innovatelyImproviseShow empathyWork in teamsConflict managementPlanSelf-management skills and competencesDemonstrate enthusiasmPersistKeep an open mindDeal with uncertaintyRespect the diversity of cultural values and normsDemonstrate intercultural competenceSet inclusion policiesDevelop contingency plans for emergenciesApply risk management processesMinimise environmental impact on the surrounding area

LO4 - Learning Outcome 4

Monitor and evaluate impact and engagement output and processes in STEM

ESCO SKILLS

Work in teamsConflict managementPlanDemonstrate enthusiasmExercise self-reflectionKeep an open mindDeal with uncertaintyRespect the diversity of cultural values and normsDemonstrate intercultural competenceEvaluate data, information and digital contentDigital competenciesSet inclusion policiesDevelop contingency plans for emergenciesApply risk management processesMinimise environmental impact on the surrounding areaRaise awareness on local community's prioritiesParticipate actively in civic lifeWork within communitiesSolve problemsThink holisticallyThink creativelyMeet commitmentsCreate new conceptsBrainstorm ideasDemonstrate willingness to learnThink innovatelyImprovise

LO2 - Learning Outcome 2

Strategise and devise engagement plans taking various standpoints of vision and communication model, and applying appropriate engagement activities

ESCO SKILLS

Self-management skills and competencesPlanDemonstrate enthusiasmPersistKeep an open mindDeal with uncertaintyRespect the diversity of cultural values and normsWork in teamsDemonstrate intercultural competenceSet inclusion policiesDevelop contingency plans for emergenciesApply risk management processesMinimise environmental impact on the surrounding areaRaise awareness on local community's prioritiesParticipate actively in civic lifeWork within communitiesEnsure infrastructure accessibilitySolve problemsThink creativelyThink holisticallyAssume responsibility for maintaining a safe ship environmentMeet commitmentsBrainstorm ideasCreate new conceptsDemonstrate willingness to learnThink innovatelyImproviseShow empathy

Potential progress

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Energy and sustainability

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Critical and innovative thinking

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Global citizenship

Media and information literacy

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Information

Strategic Communication in STEM, Environment and Healthcare is part of the MSc in Science and Health Communication housed within DCU's School of Communications The MSHC is known for its global reputation in teaching and research excellence in media, communications, and journalism. The faculty comprises of not only esteemed academic scholars but also seasoned industry professionals. The groundbreaking research conducted by these faculty members, which is peer-reviewed and internationally recognised, significantly contributes to policy-making in the realms of media, communications, and journalism, both within Ireland and on the international stage. The School of Communications has a rich tradition spanning nearly four decades, and today, it hosts nearly 1,000 students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, in addition to those undertaking doctoral research, making it a thriving hub of academic and professional development.

Syllabus

  • Introduction to strategic communication in STEM and tactical engagement strategic communication and impact on early technology transfer; seeing how communicating science effectively requires ‘models’ and ‘activities’; the moments from deficit to dialogue to participation
  • Science and society: a short history tracing the role of naturalistic inquiry from antiquity through the Enlightenment and its effects today; future visions
  • Strategic science communication: How science for the mass media and science journalism began
  • Inclusive Technologies and Open Access: The Digital Twins Challenge
  • Society speaks back: Controversial science and technologies in health/medicine, enviro, STEM; from PUS to PEST; how social studies for science evolved for engagement and sociology of science and medicine; competing knowledges online
  • Science policy and science-in-practice: science governance ; peer review and research integrity; Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
  • Institutional science communication: Medical communications and institutional knowledge management and leadership; higher education sector research, introduction to engaged research
  • Deep engagement 1: Including the public and stakeholders in data and agenda setting; science shops, citizen science, and PPI
  • Deep engagement 2: When science is less strategic - makerspaces, DIY, the arts leading science
  • Evaluation and monitoring: Evaluating EPE programmes and impact

Learning activities

  • Assignment 1: Policy brief
  • Assignment 2: Communication plan for use of Digital Twin technology for social justice/societal challenge

In the challenge part of the ELO – collaboration with KTU and Bentley Systems- students develop a strategic communication plan for a shared Digital Twin platform with consideration for open-access, GDPR, IP and democratic rights focusing on a specific use of the technology to address an important security issue.

Hosting university

Dublin City University

Dublin City University