SciComm@Charité

What makes for effective science communication? The coronavirus pandemic was a prime example of the broader societal ramifications of communicating research findings, but it was just one example among many. In other areas as well, patients, family members, journalists, and other interested audiences are always grateful for understandable explanations of complex medical matters. But for researchers, knowing how to communicate in ways appropriate to the target audience or interface with journalists is not part of what they have learned during their education. In many cases, this is more of a “learning by doing” process. This is where SciComm@Charité comes in: The Science Communication team within the Division Media & Political Communication offers a structured training program for Charité researchers to learn how to communicate effectively and with focus on real-world practice.

The first cohort started in February 2024, with 14 participants. Topics covered include the meaning and importance of strategic science communication, what journalists value, and how discussions on social media may evolve dynamically. Explaining a person’s own research topic clearly and succinctly in two minutes, speaking convincingly on camera, and crafting visual representations of the key points of a publication are also covered by the program, so researchers gain media skills as well.

The program extends over six months and encompasses about twelve days, primarily involving in-person training. It is aimed at all researchers at Charité, regardless of career level.

The first cohort completed the program by July 2024. A second cohort (November 2024 to May 2025) and a third cohort (November 2025 to June 2026) followed. The fourth cohort will begin in the fall of 2026.

The goal of SciComm@Charité is to empower researchers at Charité to better understand how science, research, media, and public relations interact and explain their own research in ways that are appropriate to the target audience and generally understandable. The overarching objective is to make science communication within Berlin’s university medicine organization even more professional.

The project was made possible by Stiftung Charité, which is financing the project.