In the current climate crisis, the media plays an essential role in getting the message of climate change research and stories of adaptation across to the public as well as to decision makers. When journalists credibly and accurately communicate research and tell well-informed climate stories, they help citizens and decision makers understand the realities of the current climate crisis and the possible responses. Communication of research and science is essential if the general public and policy makers are to make knowledge-based, consolidated decisions on the issues facing their communities
This “Bridging the Gap. Science for the public” seminar therefore focuses on the African climate crisis. It provides a shared platform from which researchers and journalist can collaborate, and aims at paving the way for increased research and science reporting and deepen the impact and uptake of Danida funded research projects related to the climate crisis in Africa.
The seminar offers two online trainings on 7 and 9 August 2023 and in-person sessions from 28 Augusts to 1 September 2023 at the training centre MS TCDC in Arusha, Tanzania, where researchers and journalists (net)work and engage on how to best collaborate on communicating research findings and evidence-based knowledge.
The in-person sessions taking place at TCDC for researchers are interlinked and coordinated with Danida Fellowship Centre learning programme #2. Reporting from the African Frontline of the Global Climate Crisis 2023.
The programme
(Updated to 1 August 2023, Subject to changes)
9.00 – 9.30 Welcome to the Science Engagement Journey and Media Reporting for Danida supported climate researchers by Pernille Friis, Research Programme Manager
9.30 Welcome & why care about communication? Your experience with communication? Know your audience & the (current) global agenda on climate. News criteria: Making your climate research interesting for the general public. Exercise: News criteria in your own research. Exercise: Find your key message
Facilitation by Lise Brix, Science Journalist at Videnskab.dk
9.00 – 10:30 am / Morning session
How to communicate. How to structure texts and speeches in an effective way. Use of language. Presentation of exercise: Write your own press release
10:30 – 2 pm / Afternoon session
Online availability to help you write your press release. 1-on-1 guidance by your course leaders (voluntary).
A written press release is required to pass this course. Deadline 17. August. You will get your feedback when we meet in Tanzania
Facilitation by Lise Brix, Science Journalist at Videnskab.dk
Arrival at MS TCDC
A shared African voice for climate justice (researchers & journalists)
09:00 – 9:45 Welcome to MS TCDC Makena Mwobobia, Executive Director MS TCDC
9:45 – 10:30 Why we are here & introductions Vibeke Quaade, Senior Communications Consultant, Danida Fellowship Centre
10:30 – 11:00 Tea Break
11.00 – 11.45 A shared African perspective and voice for climate justice. Keynote speaker: Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director PACJA
11.45 – 12.30 Q & A / discussion
12:30 – 13.30 Lunch
1.30 – 14.15 Climate negotiations and related processes. What’s at stake for Africa. Presentation: Philip Kilonzo, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Communication PACJA
14:15 – 15.00 Group work (groups of mixed journalists & researchers)
Sub issues to inspire your discussions:
15.00 – 15.30 Tea break
15.30 – 16.00 Group Work (Continued)
16.00 – 16.30 Presentations
16.30 End of day
Science engagement: How to (researchers)
09:00 Climate justice and stakeholder engagement Vibeke Quaade, Senior Communications Consultant
09:15 – 10:00 How to use stakeholder engagement and communication tactics in climate change research. Will be live-streamed Prof Robinson Mdegela, Sokoine University of Agriculture
10:00 – 10:30 Tea Break
10:30 – 12:30 Cont: How to use stakeholder engagement and communication tactics in climate change research. Group sessions, presentations & feedback. Prof Robinson Mdegela, Sokoine University of Agriculture
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 Relevance of digital engagements in research Beatrice Marandu, Projects Coordinator YouLead Africa
13:45 Identification of Challenges
14:30 Strategies for engagement with different communities
15:00 – 15:30 Tea Break
15:30 – 15:45 Social media engagement: Case Studies
15:45 – 16:30 How to build a campaign, engage with relevant stakeholders – and measure the outcome
16:30 End of Day
Media engagement tactics (researchers)
09:00 – 9:30 Recap from online course
9:30 – 10:30 Feedback on press release and group work
10:00 – 10:30 Tea Break at convenience
10:30 – 12:30 How to pitch your story to the media – and dealing with journalists in general
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 15:00 Tips for oral presentation
15:00 – 15:30 Tea Break
15:30 – 16:30 Interview exercise
16:30 End of Day
How do we collaborate? (researchers and journalists)
9:00 – 09:10 Welcome back together & goals of the day
9:10 – 10:10 Speed Dating
10:10 – 11:30 Group work: Pitch presentation by researchers.
11:30 – 12:00 Inspirational talk: 10 things to remember when journalists and researchers collaborate Prof Robinson Mdegela, Sokoine University of Agriculture
12:00 – 12:30 Group work: Discuss challenges when journalists/scientists work together (groups of 5-6)
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:00 Plenum: The biggest challenges between journalists/scientists
14:00 – 15:00 Group work: Come up with solutions to overcome the challenges.
15:00 – 15:30 Tea Break
15:30 – 16:30 Plenum – select best solutions – make manifesto
16:30 End of Day
Next step: Africa Climate Summit ’23 & COP28: Must the African response to climate change be uniquely African (researchers and journalists)
09:00 – 9:30 Recap
9:30 – 10:30 How climate action can position Africa as a prominent player in averting a global climate catastrophe. James Irungu Mwangi, Founder, Climate Action Platform Africa
10:30 – 11:00 Tea Break
11:00 – 11:45 African opportunities in green growth and climate finance Faten Aggad, Senior Advisor on climate diplomacy and geopolitics, The African Climate Foundation
11:45 – 12:30 Goodbye for now: Takeaways in threes – two journalists and one scientist – what did you learn and what will you do next?
12.30 – 13:00 End of in-person seminar
Sharing of knowledge is essential for finding sustainable solutions to global challenges. Danida Fellowship Centre supports the creation of new competences and skills aimed at transforming knowledge into action through co-creation, knowledge sharing, networking and storytelling.
