Q. What are the benefits of studying your subject at postgraduate level?
Many science graduates want to stay in science and make use of their undergraduate scientific training, but do not necessarily want to remain in a laboratory or technical environment. For these students it is sometimes unclear what career options are suitable.  A key aim of our course is to illustrate what role scientists can play in a variety of professional settings – politics and policy formation, media, lobbying, for example. But it also develops the skills that are more familiar in these professional environments and which undergraduate scientists sometimes lack experience or confidence in.

Q. Please explain why you love your subject?
Well, I feel like I am juggling several different subjects – all of which I love! I love science for its sense of excitement that you are pushing the frontiers of knowledge within a field that affects so many people around the world. I love teaching as I feel it passes on this passion to others. I like the fact that students inspired by elements of what we do will progress to do better things in their careers that I have done myself. I love being involved in communicating science, which encompasses so many disciplines, but also gives so many different perspectives on the research that I do. In considering how my work is communicated to the public and other stakeholders, I really think this makes me a better scientist.

Q. What skills do your students have by the end of the course?
I encourage students to think about the skills they have acquired throughout the course. There are so many aspects to science communication – an appreciation of the process of scientific research, an understanding of the needs of different target audiences, underpinned by an academic approach to diverse evidence that spans different disciplines. The rigour of this process is challenging but immensely rewarding and valuable. But it is the assessment that really sets our programme part in terms of skills development. We have thought very hard about what potential employers want, and we give students experience in those areas through our innovative assessment. This includes different elements of writing, face-to-face work with the public and professional groups, event management, applying for funding, dealing with the media, survey design, and extensive oral presentations. Research projects are often carried out in association with external stakeholders, so that students gain significant experience in the workplace. In addition, there are a range of opportunities for volunteering with local organizations such as museums, science festivals, and University-based outreach programmes. Students leave with a very attractive portfolio of skills on their CV.

Q. How difficult is it to forge a career in your industry?
I think it is currently difficult in many industries at the moment. This field offers experience and training a range of skills that promote employability, flexibility and exposure to a range of professions. We encourage networking with our external speakers who are a gold mine in terms of advising on how to progress within specific career structures. But the career options are extremely diverse within this field, and the skills acquired can lead to employment in a range of professional settings – something that we very much support and actively encourage.