Inspiring enthusiasm for science

For reliable information. For trust in science. For innovation. Our society needs science communication. And suitable formats for the various target groups: A lecture series for citizens, an interview on children's radio or a tour of an institute with association representatives? How do I get my research results across to the public in an understandable way?

Learn methods and strategies for successful science communication. The Press, Communications and Marketing Office and Human Resources Development have established a training programme aimed at scientists at all stages of their career. Our programmes are continuously evaluated and expanded.

Share your knowledge: Transfer is an important part of our university activities.

Have fun communicating!

P.S. Currently, the internal offers of Paderborn University are in German. Offers in English can be found, for example, at the National Institute for Science Communication (NaWik).

Our of­fers

Ba­sics

What are suitable communication channels for successful science communication? How do I identify target groups and define my goals? And what are the legal requirements for taking photos and videos in public relations work? Various basic programmes are dedicated to these and many other questions.

So­cial Me­dia

Communication via social media channels is becoming increasingly relevant for scientists. Which platforms are suitable for which target groups, what communication goals do I have and how do I build a wide-reaching network? LinkedIn in particular has become an important channel for science communication.

Live and in col­our

Whether on television or in front of a mobile phone camera - science communication often takes place in front of an audience or a camera. This helps with bright lights and high expectations: Learning easy-to-recall skills that reduce anxiety and help you become more adept, relaxed and at ease in front of the camera.

Sup­port and ad­vise: At­tacks and un­ob­ject­ive con­flicts

Counselling at the Paderborn University

Are you an academic at Paderborn University affected by (digital) hostility or unobjective conflicts in science communication? We support and advise you in this situation.

Please get in touch with us:

Dr. Johannes Schnurr, Head of Press, Communications and Marketing Office
Phone: +49 5251 60-2548
Email: johannes.schnurr@zv.uni-paderborn.de

 

National contact point

Scicomm Support also offers you various counselling services. The contact point, which was set up by the Federal Association of University Communication and "Wissenschaft im Dialog" (Science in Dialogue), provides support with telephone advice and information on strategies for dealing with attacks against academics.

Ba­sics

Content: How do I develop a communication strategy and communicate my research - science communicator Nadine Lux provides input on methods, channels and goals and offers exercises on various formats such as science pitch or science storytelling.

Target group: PhD students and postdocs

Format: Online event

Next date: The training took place on 8 and 9 April 2025. As soon as the next date is fixed, it will be announced on this page. 

Find out more

 

Content: What do I need to be aware of when using photos/videos, how do I document agreements with photographers correctly and what data protection regulations need to be observed when taking photos of people? Dr Jasper Prigge, specialist lawyer for copyright and media law, will talk about these and many other aspects of copyright and personal rights in the online training course.

Target group: All employees

Format: Online event

Next date: The training took place on 17 March 2025. As soon as the next date is fixed, it will be announced on this page.

Find out more

Content: Communicating my Research - the e-learning programme contains a module on the topic of science communication. Specifically, the following content is offered for self-learning: Basics of Science Communication, Social Media for Scientists, Strategies for Digital Science Communication and Start your Social Media Presence today.

Target group: Doctoral students, postdocs and other employees in research and science management

Format: E-learning

Next period: May to August 2025; registrations were possible until 14 April 2025

Learn more

So­cial Me­dia

At Paderborn University, the social media team of the Press, Communication and Marketing Office offers individual social media consultations. Would you like to set up an account on LinkedIn, reach your students via Instagram or strengthen your research communication on several channels at once? Or are you not yet sure whether you want to set up an institutional account for your group or project or whether you would prefer to strengthen communication with your personal profile?

We will be happy to advise and train you according to your individual needs! Depending on your requirements profile, we will talk to you about your target groups and goals, possible content and how best to prepare this content and how to take Paderborn University's corporate design into account on the social media channels.

Target group: Employees in science and administration, students and research assistants

Format: Individual consultation on request

Contact the social media team now and request your individual consultation!

E-mail: socialmedia@zv.upb.de

LinkedIn is the best-known social network for maintaining professional contacts. The platform has grown strongly in recent years and is also ideally suited for your specific communication goals in the field of science communication, e.g. when it comes to making research topics or transfer projects visible and known in active dialogue with target groups from business and society.

Would you like to create a professional, appealing and high-quality LinkedIn profile? Do you feel that you are not yet utilising the platform's possibilities sufficiently? Or do you want to further expand your network on LinkedIn, address new exciting target groups and score even better with your content?

We are currently planning a specific training programme for Paderborn University researchers with an external LinkedIn expert. If you are interested, we recommend you start with an individual social media consultation (see above). We will be happy to discuss further and LinkedIn-specific training options for you!

Get in touch if you are interested!
Email: socialmedia@zv.upb.de

Live and in col­our

Content: Talking about your own research and explaining it in an understandable way - science communication often takes place in front of an audience or even in front of the camera. The thought of this often triggers nervousness and high expectations of oneself: How do I stand correctly, where do I put my hands, what does my face look like? How do I find the right tone with my audience and make sure that everyone stays on the ball and understands my content and message correctly? How do I act so that it comes across as authentic and professional? The workshop is divided into three modules and provides basic knowledge on the topics of posture and body language, target group-orientated communication and impact in front of the camera.

Target group: PhD students and postdocs

Format: Face-to-face event

Next date: 23 May 2025, 09:00 to 13:00

Find out more and register

Content: The media training is designed to give scientists an initial routine for interview situations in front of the camera. The main aim is to learn easy-to-recall skills that reduce anxiety and help them to become more adept, relaxed and relaxed in a filming situation. The interaction with the camera should be experienced as a positive experience. The programme can be adapted to the individual needs of already experienced speakers.

This individual training can be arranged on request. If you are interested, please contact Dr Johannes Schnurr, Head of Press, Communication and Marketing.

Fur­ther of­fers of the Pader­born Uni­ver­sity

Of­fers of the Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Ca­reer Re­search­ers

Doctoral students and postdocs have the opportunity to expand their interdisciplinary skills as part of free qualification and certificate programmes. Junior research group leaders and junior/tenure track professors can also take part in a cross-university qualification programme.

Learn more

Pub­lish Open Ac­cess

Make your research open and transparent: if you publish Open Access, this will pay dividends in terms of your professional scientific communication and greater visibility. The University Library offers you comprehensive information and training on the subject of Open Access.

Learn more

In­tern­al fur­ther and ad­vanced train­ing in per­son­nel de­vel­op­ment

The diverse course programme is aimed at all employees and fields of the university. The courses on offer cover the areas of communication, leadership, work techniques and self-management, health and safety, administration and organisation, information technology, family and equality, and career planning.

Learn more

Good to know

Here you will find a selection of interesting events as well as information and handouts from various external institutions:

Guidelines

  • The guidelines for good science PR have been drawn up under the auspices of Wissenschaft im Dialog and the Federal Association of University Communication and offer a set of rules as well as a checklist. Learn more
  • A guide to science communication by and for scientists: The publication "Communicating knowledge: Key points from the Junge Akademie" offers orientation on the form and limits of science communication and practical tips on communicating with the media based on five key points. Learn more
  • There are various strategies for dealing with (digital) violence and hostility. In addition to telephone counselling, the Scicomm support guide offers an overview of possible courses of action and strategies and provides answers to the most important questions. Find out more

Events and networks

  • The Science Communication Forum is the largest conference for science communication in the German-speaking world. The conference is organised annually by Wissenschaft im Dialog (WiD) and will take place on 3 and 4 December 2025 at the Liederhalle in Stuttgart . Find out more
  • The WISSENSWERTE dialogue forum brings together science journalists, communicators and researchers interested in the media. The three-day programme offers panel discussions, lectures and workshops on current journalistic and scientific topics. Find out more
  • The National Institute for Science Communication (NaWik) offers communicating scientists a permanent platform for exchange and networking with the Wiss????Kon-Netzwerk. Find out more
  • Just give it a try: PhDSciCom offers doctoral students low-threshold access to science communication. They can gain initial experience on Instagram and LinkedIn and present themselves or aspects of their research. Find out more