From the lab bench to society: bringing your research to life
From the lab bench to society: bringing your research to life
20 November 2025, 9h30-17h00
21 November 2025, 9h30-17h00
General context
The ability to communicate research clearly and credibly, but also creatively to different audiences is becoming an essential skill for researchers. Regardless of these audiences being policymakers, journalists, patients, or the general public, researchers need to adapt their message without oversimplifying their work. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the why and how of science communication, empowering participating researchers to connect their research with the wider world.
Over two days, participants will explore a range of communication formats and strategies that help bring science to life, unpacking key concepts in science communication such as storytelling, audience engagement, media relations, and visual communication.
The participants will take part in storytelling and public speaking exercises, simulate video interviews, and explore tools to visualize their research effectively. They will also be challenged to develop a group science communication project, encompassing the different things they will learn.
Participants will understand how to adapt their message to various audiences while staying true to the science. These skills are transferable to settings such as outreach events, grant writing, social media, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Understand the role and goals of science communication
Learn to use storytelling techniques to describe research in an accessible and compelling way to different audiences
Explore how science is communicated in the media and on social platforms
Gain confidence in public speaking and on-camera interviews
Develop basic skills in visual science communication
Learn to identify key audiences and measure communication impact
Collaboratively design a science communication project, such as a campaign plan or an event, tailored to biomedical research
This is an interactive and practice-oriented course that combines short lectures with hands-on individual and group exercises. Activities include storytelling practice, mock interviews, public speaking exercises, visual storytelling, and a collaborative group project. Participants will present their project ideas at the end of the course and receive feedback.
This course is designed for early-career researchers who want to improve how they connect with non-specialist audiences and build broader impact through their research communication.
Program
Course presentation & ice breaker
- Why are you in this course and how can it help during your PhD?
What is science communication?
- Overview of science communication
- Science communication culture in Belgium
- Science communication culture internationally
Coffee break
Foyer O&N5
Science communication and storytelling - practical exercise
- What is storytelling and how can it be applied to science?
- Methods of storytelling
- Describe your research using storytelling (exercise)
Lunch break
Foyer O&N5
Science and media - practical exercise
- How does science make the news?
- Why have science on social media?
- How has science impacted the media?
- Science and multimedia production?
- How to do a video interview (exercise)?
Coffee break
Foyer O&N5
Public speaking in science - practical exercise
- Basics of public speaking (from voice project, confident stances, other tips).
- Introduce your colleague in 2 minutes (exercise).
Science communication research and project building
- Introduction to the group project: building a science communication project that tries to communicate research to society, strengthen bonds with different stakeholders and measure impact.
- Brainstorming sessions.
Science and visual storytelling (practical exercise)
- Basic overview of how science should be represented.
- Introduction to tools.
- Represent your science graphically (exercise).
Coffee break
Foyer O&N5
Science communication audiences and impact
- Who are you talking to?
- How do you measure success?
- What are the main KPI's?
Lunch break
Foyer O&N5
Science communication project development
8th floor meeting room 404-28.08.184
- Group project
Group project presentation
Course closing remarks and evaluation
Diversity & Inclusion Week - happy hour
Practical info
20 November 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
20 November 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
20 November 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
20 November 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.
20 November 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
O&N5 - Aula
Room 404-28.08.184 (21 November - afternoon)