Fall 2026

Professors

Alessandra Fornetti (Venice International University)

Ilda Mannino (Venice International University)

Schedule

Tuesday

From 10:45

to 12:15

Thursday

From 10:45

to 12:15

Course description
This course examines the topic of science communication, providing an introduction to (i) the role of communication in science and research, as important element of RRI - Responsible Research and Innovation, (ii) the cultural, practical and policy-related role of science communication in wider society to promote public engagement in discussion and actions, and (iii) the role it can play in supporting sustainable development.
The course starts from exploring the definitions of science communication and the evolution of the concept from an education approach to a more dialogic one. It then addresses three key questions concerning science communication and the public, in terms of (i) who are the publics to reach, (ii) why to communicate them, (iii) what to communicate and (iv) how to communicate in an effective way. The non-mediated vs. mediated modes of communicating are considered, putting in evidence barriers and opportunities related to each strand, from journalism to museums, social media and others. Attention is given to the risks of misinformation and building trust in science.
The course puts special emphasis in science communication in relation to sustainable development and environmental issues, and how it can support the achievement of the SDGs.
A key element considered throughout the course is the quality in science communication and how to “recognize” it.

Introduction and objectives
Students gain exposure to the great body of scholarship about science communication, including work from communication studies, sociology and science theories among others. They also gain sharper understanding of the importance of communicating their research and its impact on society. Challenges of science communication are deeply explored, in particular in relation to environment and sustainable development.
The course takes advantage of VIU’s unique international diversity by building in opportunities for students to share and reflect upon science communication role and trajectories in their own home countries. In addition, great attention is given to the interdisciplinary approach of Science communication taken advantage of the multidisciplinary components of VIU classes.

Course organisation and supervision
The overall structure of the course and its thematic organisation is developed by Alessandra Fornetti and Ilda Mannino (Venice International University).
The course is organised around different thematic areas covered also with the help of external professionals, active ‘on the field’ from different science communication areas.
The course includes frontal lectures, meetings with experts and open discussion on the theories and practice of science communication, case studies on communication of specific scientific topics and practical work on their revisions, both individually and in group.
Seminars involving practitioners of different strands (journalists, museum explainers, experts in social media) are organized.
Site visits are part of the course.

Course Requirements
No specific background is required to attend the course. Students are expected to do the required readings, to attend class regularly and actively participate in discussions. Required readings are designated on a weekly basis. Students are also encouraged to find additional material for their final project by searching the Internet and accessing suggested websites. Individual paper and a group project on science communication is required.

VIULECTURES is an initiative promoted by VIU to provide a platform for international and local professors to discuss key and current issues.
Participation in the VIULECTURES to covering topics related to the course can be compulsory.

Course evaluation
Individual mid-term essay – an essay on science communication role today, with specific reference to students’ field of study and to the different SciCom formats and strands that can be used – 45 % of the final grade.
Final project – There will be a group science communication project to develop, to present in a written group report and through an oral presentation in class – 45 % of the final grade.
Class participation – Overall class participation, in terms of both attendance and interaction, will count for 10% of the final grade.

Syllabus

ORIENTATION

Week 0

Monday, September 7 – Course presentation

Thursday, September 10 - Opening Ceremony

Week 1 - September 14-18

Tuesday September 15
Lecture: Introduction to Science Communication: Definitions
Alessandra Fornetti and Ilda Mannino (VIU)

Required Readings:

Bucchi, M., & Trench, B. (2025). Science Communication: The Basics (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032646749 (Chapter 8)

Suggested Readings:

Davies S.R., Horst M. (2016). Science Communication. Culture, Identity and Citizenship, Palgrave Mcmillan. Chapter 1: Introduction, pp. 1-27.

Rempel E. S., Barnett J., Durrat H. (2018). Public engagement with UK government data science: Propositions from a literature review of public engagement on new technologies. Government Information Quarterly 35 (2018) 569-578

Thursday September 17
Lecture: Roles, goals and audiences of science communication
Alessandra Fornetti and Ilda Mannino (VIU)

Required Readings:

Davies S. R. (2021). An Empirical and Conceptual Note on Science Communication’s Role in Society, Science Communication 2021, Vol. 43(1) 116–133

Week 2 - September 21-25

Tuesday September 22
‘Meet the expert’ series - 1
Science and Fiction. The story of Every Rock has a Story
Ethan Baxter, Boston College

Thursday September 24
Lecture: Science Communication Landscape Today between Theory and Practice
Alessandra Fornetti (VIU)

Required Readings:

Davies S.R, Franks S., Jensen A. M., Mannino I., Schmidt A. L., Wells R., Woods R., Zollo F. (2020). Section 2: Contemporary Science Communication Scholarship in Europe: A Fractured Field. Summary report: European Science Communication today, QUEST Project Deliverable 1.1, Section 1-2. pp. 9-19.

Wilkinson C, Weitkamp E. (2026). Creative Research Communication: Theory and Practice.

Suggested Readings:

Bucchi, M., & Trench, B. (2025). Science Communication: The Basics (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032646749 (Chapter 1)

Week 3 – September 28-October 2

Tuesday September 29
Lecture: Sustainable development: understanding the concept through its history
Ilda Mannino (VIU)

Required readings:

https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

Suggested Readings:

Freellence Journalism Assembly. A freelancer’s guide to reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Davies S.R, Franks S., Jensen A. M., Mannino I., Schmidt A. L., Wells R., Woods R., Zollo F. Section 3: Contemporary Science Journalism in Europe: Taking Stock. Summary report: European Science Communication today, QUEST Project Deliverabe 1.1, Section 3. pp. 20-34.

Thursday, October 22
Lecture: Science communication, Misinformation and Trust
Ilda Mannino & Alessandra Fornetti (VIU)

Required Readings:

Moreno-Castro et al. (2025). Introduction, pp 6-12 in Strategies to address critical challenges to effective science-society relations, including misinformation and trust. Deliverable report (D2.2), COALESCE project. doi: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13309683.

Suggested Readings:

MacKenzie LE. (2019). Science podcasts: analysis of global production and output from 2004 to 2018. R. Soc. open sci. 6: 180932; http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.180932;

Yas K. A. et al. (2016). The Evolution and Popularity of Science Play with Specific Reference to Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus, Brecht’s Galileo and Frayn’s Copenhagen, International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, Vol. 5 No. 7.

Kirby D. A., Ockert I. (2021), Science and Technology in Film. Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology, Trench B. (ed.), Routledge.

Roche J., Fairfield J. A., Gallagher A., and Bell L. (2020). Bright Club: Establishing a Science Comedy Variety Night in Ireland, Science Communication, Vol. 42(1) 130– 140.

Friday, November 13 (TBC)
VIU Plenary Workshop

Week 9 - November 16-20

Tuesday, November 17
Lecture: How to communicate about research: tips to apply to the group work and Final Project: Team building and topic choice
Ilda Mannino and Alessandra Fornetti (VIU)

Required Readings:

QUEST checklist for scientists

Thursday, November 19
Scicomm for Impact: Planning your group work activity
Alessandra Fornetti & Ilda Mannino (VIU)

Final Project: plan for impact, identify your objectives and audience

Required Readings:

Volk, S. C., & Schäfer, M. S. (2024). Evaluations in science communication. Current state and future directions. JCOM 23(06), Y01. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.23060401

Week 10 - November 23-27

Tuesday, November 24
Final Project: identify your audience needs and expectations

Thursday, November 26
Final Project: identify the messages to deliver

Week 11 – November 30 - December 4

Tuesday, December 1
Final Project: frame the format

Thursday, December 3
Final Project: open the dialogue

Week 12 - December 7-11

Tuesday, December 8
National Holiday to be rescheduled

Lecture: Evalte science communication
Final Project: evaluate the impact of your scicomm activity

Thursday, December 10
Final Project: final presentation preparation

Week 13 (exams) - December 14-18

Tuesday, December 15
Presentation of Students’ work