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.

Transcript of Records is an official document issued by your home university. It specifies the name of the institution, the academic programme you are enrolled in, the list of courses taken up until the current period, the exams or tests you passed, the grades and the credits you earned. 

Transcript of Records

CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document that summarizes your educational and professional history. It must provide a detailed overview of your academic and work experience, skills, achievements, and qualifications.

Motivation letter is a personal statement and it might include a brief introduction of yourself, explanation why are you interested in the learning opportunity you are applying to, any relevant experience or skills that you have, your goals and how this opportunity will help you achieve them, This document should not be more than 400 words.

Motivation Letter

Dublin City University

a globe with a few small white dots on it

Strategic Communications in STEM, Environment and Healthcare

Outlining the various models and activities of science and technology communication across sectors.

# The Challenge

Embark on an exciting learning journey, where we explore innovative and disruptive technologies, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Challenge Based Learning (CBL). This unique learning experience will equip you with valuable knowledge and skills, enabling you to make a difference in today's fast-paced world.

Innovative and disruptive technologies are transforming industries and societies in unprecedented ways. Throughout this module, we will examine various technologies with the potential to disrupt and innovate, understanding that predicting their impact is not always straightforward.

The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals encompass a wide range of critical issues, from climate action to poverty reduction. By studying these goals, you will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges our world faces and identify the specific goal you want to focus on during this module.

Challenge Based Learning is a powerful educational framework that encourages learning through problem-solving and real-world applications. As you navigate through this module, you will be guided in the CBL process, selecting your topic and area of focus. Previous students have found this approach to be engaging and rewarding, as it allows them to tailor their learning experience to their interests. The assessment includes an assignment, digital project, development of an artefact and oral examination.

Don't worry if some of these topics are new to you - this module is designed to be a transformative learning experience. You will be supported every step of the way, and you might just discover something new and inspiring.

To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, visit: https://sdgs.un.org/goals For further information on Challenge Based Learning (Team work), check out: https://www2.tuhh.de/zll/cbl-start/?lang=en

Join us in this journey to gain new insights, develop critical skills, and make a positive impact on the world!

Students have the option to attend an in-person feedback session with the mentor panel in DCU. This session is scheduled for Week 11 of semester 1.

Topics of Innovative & Disruptive Technologies

Topics in Innovative and Disruptive Technologies

Discover and Engage with the Future of Computing: Innovative and Disruptive Technologies Unveiled

Entrepreneurship, technology and innovation

Critical and innovative thinking

Inter-personal skills

Media and information literacy

Positioned at the intersection of challenge and opportunity, this module is designed to future-proof students with the competencies and skills required to leverage digitalisation, address societal challenges and provide unique value to organisations. 

Students will be designing a Digital Knowledge Centre for Sustainability training for the client using a CBL approach. Students will also be considering ways in which to implement this system and measure user engagement. This unique learning experience will equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for the realities of the future world of work.

Challenge Based Learning (CBL) is a powerful framework that encourages learners to problem solve though real world application. Students will have a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and company representatives over the course of this learning experience. This module is designed to offer a transformative learning experience allowing students to embrace their communicative, critical thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving skills and develop an innovation mindset.

EcoTech Challenge – Pioneering Innovative Tech for a Sustainable Future.

Leveraging cutting edge technologies to support a greener future

Circular economy

Corruption, the abuse of public power for private gain, levies huge costs on economies, societies, and individuals. Corruption is a fundamental threat to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and to sustainability more generally. Understanding the risks and solutions is therefore essential for careers in business, politics, public administration, and civil society. This module tasks students with developing an anti-corruption intervention that meets a challenge identified by the 2020 Hamilton Report (The Review of Structures and Strategies to Prevent, Investigate and Penalise Economic Crime and Corruption) and the National Economic Crime and Anti-Corruption Strategy. Students will learn about how corruption is defined and measured, the costs of corruption, and anti-corruption policy and evaluation.  Members of the Irish state’s Advisory Council against Economic Crime and Corruption and Transparency International Ireland will set out the key corruption challenges faced by Ireland and engage with students as they develop their proposed solutions.

Anti-Corruption Challenge

Corruption undermines lives, societies, and economies. Students taking this module will learn why we must take fighting corruption seriously and develop the skills to do so effectively.

Resilient communities

Energy and sustainability

Transport and Mobility

Using a Challenge-Based-Learning framework the module will provide students with a range of practical learning opportunities demonstrating how chemistry and bioprocessing can be key enablers of circularity across different industrial sectors. Students will engage with industry partners to learn more about the chemical and bioprocessing sectors, the current state of the art in sustainability and circularity, and will tackle current challenges to these sectors.

Bioprocessing for the Circular Economy

Learn how bioprocessing can be a key enabler of circularity across different industrial sectors.

Intra-personal skills

## The Challenge

A fundamental Machine Learning challenge can develop learners in several ways:

- Career Opportunities: Machine Learning is a rapidly growing field, and there is a high demand for professionals with expertise in this area. By acquiring knowledge in fundamental Machine Learning concepts, learners can open up new career opportunities and enhance their employability. Knowing that there is a demand for their skills can be a strong motivating factor for individuals considering learning Machine Learning.
- Practical Application: Machine Learning has numerous real-world applications across various industries such as healthcare, finance, marketing, and more. Learning the fundamentals of Machine Learning can help learners understand how it can be applied to solve complex problems and make predictions. This practical aspect can be highly motivating for individuals who are interested in using technology to create impactful solutions.
- Innovations and Advancements: Machine Learning is at the forefront of technological advancements and innovations. By studying the fundamentals, learners can gain insights into cutting-edge research and developments in the field. This exposure to exciting advancements and breakthroughs can inspire and motivate learners to explore Machine Learning further.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Machine Learning involves analyzing data, identifying patterns, and creating models to make predictions or decisions. The process of learning Machine Learning requires learners to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Engaging in challenging problem-solving exercises and seeing the results of their efforts can be highly motivating for learners.

Machine Learning

An overview of the tools, techniques and purpose of machine learning.

# The Challenge

Embark on an exciting learning journey, where we explore innovative and disruptive technologies, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Challenge Based Learning (CBL). This unique learning experience will equip you with valuable knowledge and skills, enabling you to make a difference in today's fast-paced world.

Innovative and disruptive technologies are transforming industries and societies in unprecedented ways. Throughout this module, we will examine various technologies with the potential to disrupt and innovate, understanding that predicting their impact is not always straightforward.

The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals encompass a wide range of critical issues, from climate action to poverty reduction. By studying these goals, you will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges our world faces and identify the specific goal you want to focus on during this module.

Challenge Based Learning is a powerful educational framework that encourages learning through problem-solving and real-world applications. As you navigate through this module, you will be guided in the CBL process, selecting your topic and area of focus. Previous students have found this approach to be engaging and rewarding, as it allows them to tailor their learning experience to their interests.

Don't worry if some of these topics are new to you - this module is designed to be a transformative learning experience. You will be supported every step of the way, and you might just discover something new and inspiring.

To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals, visit: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals) For further information on Challenge Based Learning (Team work), check out: [https://www2.tuhh.de/zll/cbl-start/?lang=en](https://www2.tuhh.de/zll/cbl-start/?lang=en)

Join us in this journey to gain new insights, develop critical skills, and make a positive impact on the world!

Students have the option to attend a 1 day in-person feedback session with the mentor panel in DCU. This session is scheduled for Week 11.

Exploring Innovative and Disruptive Technologies

Discover and Engage with the Future of Computing: Innovative and disruptive technologies unveiled

The purpose of this module is to analyse the global health problems that confront populations of the world and how they can be challenged in decolonising ways. This module encourages active participation and application of knowledge, focusing on UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In particular SDG3 Good health and well-being addresses a wide range of global health problems including maternal and child mortality, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and more. The module will allow students to reflect on factors behind the causes of contemporary global health problems like poverty, inequalities, conflict, climate change, etc. In this module, you will be expected to tackle a specific global health challenge and work towards understanding the issue, gathering relevant information and collaborating towards a sustainable and decolonising solution to the chosen global health challenge. 

The module employs the Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) framework. The CBL framework facilitates learning through engagement in relevant real-world issues. The students will have the opportunity to select their own area of focus from within relevant challenges provided by stakeholders. This hands-on, collaborative learning experience aims to develop transversal skills, help gain significant insights into the global health landscape and reflect on global issues and solutions. Students will be guided/mentored throughout this journey to reach towards a potential solution in their area of interest. More information on the SDGs can be found here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals.

Challenging Global Health Problems

This Challenge Based Learning module introduces students to the major themes in the sociology of education and the socio-cultural issues that have an impact on the school/classroom community. These include topics such as global trends in education, sustainability, global citizenship, etc. It also has a strong focus on inclusion.While the module includes some direct lectures, it primarily draws on the expertise of education stakeholders - that is, peers and colleagues in the broader field of education who have experience and knowledge in areas such as Education Disadvantage, LGBTQi topics, Gender, Homelessness and other topics which have significant societal impact. The stakeholders meet with students over a series of timetabled sessions to discuss the theme and its attendant issues and to articulate challenges. 

At the end of the stakeholder input, students are assigned to groups to construct a ‘solution’ to the set challenge. As a team, students present their solution as a recorded presentation and in research poster format. The CBL event culminates in a Research Poster Showcase event attended by stakeholders and academics from the Institute of Education.

a group of hands holding up colorful puzzle pieces

Sociology of Education

Introducing students to themes in the sociology of education and socio-cultural issues, including global trends in education and global citizenship, that have an impact on the school/classroom community.

Member university

Dublin City University

Member university

Dublin City University

Learning opportunities of Dublin City University