Morning workshops

11.30am – 1.00pm

Workshop A1: Innovative practice with web technologies (Fully Booked)
Steve Boneham, Netskills Consultant Trainer
Web technologies have the potential to transform working practice in higher education. They offer simple, but effective ways for staff and students to discover, share, publish, discuss and collaborate. However, they are often dismissed as being difficult to use or only fit for social purposes, not for work. This workshop will address these issues and highlight examples of innovative practice with web technologies. It will also provide practical guidance in the use of a range of web tools that are free, intuitive and increasingly powerful.

Workshop A2: Communicating with communities
Carolyn Granthier - Freelance Trainer and Consultant
Catherine Purvis-Mawson, Youth and Community Manager
The workshop will enable participants to explore the principles of community engagement and the processes required to bring about real benefits for all parties involved. Participants will also be able to consider how community engagement can be utilised positively within their academic role, and develop an awareness of the resources and support available for community engagement.

Workshop A3: Science communication tips and tools
Andy Lloyd, Special Projects Manager, Centre for Life
Scientists are increasingly required to be communicators in their work, but there are also people who call themselves "science communicators". Who are they and what do they do? Where and why has this new professional field come from, and what use could they be to practising research scientists? Can you explain your research to a grandmother? This workshop will attempt to answer these questions, and let you try your hand at becoming a science communicator yourself.

Workshop A4:.Death to PowerPoint - using REAL visual language for better communication (Fully Booked)
Nick Payne, Armour Plated Camel
This workshop offers a first step towards a sharper awareness of the potential of “visual language” to enhance your communication. Visual language offers a short-cut to better communication, learning and understanding because most people are visual thinkers and visual language, as a result, is culturally ubiquitous. Almost everyone, even academics, use it and rely on it each and every day of our lives. In this workshop Nick Payne, a Graphic Facilitator who works with the likes of Pepsico, Harrods and the NHS, will introduce you to simple visual tools to clarify thinking, generate new thinking and communicate complex ideas effectively and efficiently - using imagery and imagination.

Workshop A5: Experts on camera
Paul Bader, Screenhouse Productions Ltd
Your chance to learn how to perform brilliantly on TV. In this 90 min taster session from award-winning factual TV producers Screenhouse Productions, you'll get a bit of theory and a lot of practice on the art and science of appearing on camera. Engaging with the public is becoming increasingly important for many professions, and is even a condition of some research grants. Doing it on video, whether for broadcast or the web, can be incredibly effective. But if it's your face on camera, how will you do? Will you be able to tell your story engagingly, and with conviction? Pick up important techniques and try them out on camera in this workshop.

Workshop A6: Getting your hands dirty – how to get started (Fully Booked)
Jo Robinson, Communications Officer
Did you know that Information Systems and Services (ISS) can provide you with great communication tools and resources? In this workshop we’ll get right down to the basics and take a look at the real nuts and bolts of how to get started with collaboration tools such as a University blog, wiki or your very own virtual research environment.

We’ll also take a look at how ISS can help you get your messages heard across campus, through effective use of University mailing lists, the campus messaging display screens and inclusive practice. There are many ways to get your messages out there - this workshop aims to get you started.

Afternoon Workshops

1.45am – 3.15pm

Workshop B1: Innovative practice with web technologies (Fully Booked)
Steve Boneham, Netskills Consultant Trainer
Web technologies have the potential to transform working practice in higher education. They offer simple, but effective ways for staff and students to discover, share, publish, discuss and collaborate. However, they are often dismissed as being difficult to use or only fit for social purposes, not for work. This workshop will address these issues and highlight examples of innovative practice with web technologies. It will also provide practical guidance in the use of a range of web tools that are free, intuitive and increasingly powerful.

Workshop B2: Communicating with communities
Carolyn Granthier - Freelance Trainer and Consultant
Catherine Purvis-Mawson, Youth and Community Manager
The workshop will enable participants to explore the principles of community engagement and the processes required to bring about real benefits for all parties involved. Participants will also be able to consider how community engagement can be utilised positively within their academic role, and develop an awareness of the resources and support available for community engagement.

Workshop B3: Science communication tips and tools
Andy Lloyd, Special Projects Manager, Centre for Life
Scientists are increasingly required to be communicators in their work, but there are also people who call themselves "science communicators". Who are they and what do they do? Where and why has this new professional field come from, and what use could they be to practising research scientists? Can you explain your research to a grandmother? This workshop will attempt to answer these questions, and let you try your hand at becoming a science communicator yourself.

Workshop B4: Effective media relations (Fully Booked)
Mick Warwicker, Head of Press and Communications
Newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, the web ... the media has never been more diverse or hungry for news and features. Find out how to work with the University press office to access the media to engage with the public, raise your profile and maybe attract funding, collaboration and political influence.

Workshop B5: Experts on camera
Paul Bader, Screenhouse Productions Ltd
Your chance to learn how to perform brilliantly on TV. In this 90 min taster session from award-winning factual TV producers Screenhouse Productions, you'll get a bit of theory and a lot of practice on the art and science of appearing on camera. Engaging with the public is becoming increasingly important for many professions, and is even a condition of some research grants. Doing it on video, whether for broadcast or the web, can be incredibly effective. But if it's your face on camera, how will you do? Will you be able to tell your story engagingly, and with conviction? Pick up important techniques and try them out on camera in this workshop.

Workshop B6:.Death to PowerPoint - using REAL visual language for better communication (Fully Booked)
Nick Payne, Armour Plated Camel
This workshop offers a first step towards a sharper awareness of the potential of “visual language” to enhance your communication. Visual language offers a short-cut to better communication, learning and understanding because most people are visual thinkers and visual language, as a result, is culturally ubiquitous. Almost everyone, even academics, use it and rely on it each and every day of our lives. In this workshop Nick Payne, a Graphic Facilitator who works with the likes of Pepsico, Harrods and the NHS, will introduce you to simple visual tools to clarify thinking, generate new thinking and communicate complex ideas effectively and efficiently - using imagery and imagination.