Communicating societal implications of research

Academia Raetica

This is a training workshop for live presentations that merges science communication with training tools from improvisational theatre. Designed for early-career researchers from a range of disciplines, the workshop focuses on the effective communication of the societal dimensions of research to diverse target audiences. Participants will develop strategies for making their research more accessible and socially responsive, with an emphasis on real-world application and interdisciplinary exchange.

Please check out our website for further details: www.yesandscience.com

This workshop builds on the theoretical foundations laid in the course on research ethics offered at Academia Raetica in September 2025.

Course objective / learning goals

The course enables students to:

• identify and articulate the ethical and societal dimensions of their own research.

• develop strategies for communicating these dimensions to different audiences (e.g., policymakers, the public, funding bodies).

• understand the importance of narrative structure in science communication.

• apply communication techniques that get your key messages across and help audiences understand the relevance of your work.

Course program

This one-day workshop includes a series of practical exercises that help participants to build awareness of the impression they make as live speakers and to understand the needs and perspectives of different audiences. We will also explore strategies for developing narrative structure into science communication.

About the Trainers

Jane Muncke is an experienced public speaker, trained scientist, and longtime improvisational theatre actor and teacher. She began her journey in improvisational theatre in 1995 and was a founding and active member of the successful first Swiss improv group, Eidgenössisches Improvisationstheater (EIT), until 2009. She earned her PhD in ecotoxicology from the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) in 2006 and holds an MSc in environmental science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ). Jane has worked on complex scientific topics ranging from sustainable wastewater management to endocrine disruption in fish. Currently, she focuses on science communication related to chemicals in food contact materials. Jane is the managing director of the charitable Food Packaging Forum Foundation and lives with her family in Zurich.

Karim Bschir has a background in biochemistry and earned a PhD in Philosophy of Science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) in 2011. Since 1999, Karim has been a member of the first Swiss improv group, Eidgenössisches Improvisationstheater (EIT). In addition to his extensive experience as an improv actor and teacher, he is also an accomplished public speaker and academic instructor who is well acquainted with scientific research and the workings of scientific institutions. His academic work was supported by a Branco Weiss – Society in Science Fellowship.

General information and fee

• Date: Friday, October 3, 2025 from 9:15 AM to 5:30 PM, including breaks

• Location: Davos, TBA

• Lecturers: Dr. Jane Muncke and Dr. Karim Bschir, yes and science

• Language: English

• Target audience: Early and mid-career researchers (PhD students and postdocs) from all disciplines.

• Course fee for participants from Academia Raetica member or partner institutions: CHF 100

• External participants (not working at an Academia Raetica member or partner institution): CHF 150

• Registration deadline: September 12, 2025. You can cancel your participation free of charge until September 23, 2025. Please see our Terms of Participation for details.

• Max. number participants: 12 (min. number participants 6)

• Course certificate: You will receive a certificate of attendance, if you complete the workshop.

• Credit points: This training requires 8 hours of attendance. Please check with your supervisor at your university, if the course counts towards ECTS.

• Course Coordinator: Daniela Heinen, daniela.heinen@academiaraetica.ch, phone 081 410 60 84

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