Dealing with the Press and Media

Dealing with the Press and Media can be a daunting experience and a difficult space to navigate, especially for the uninitiated. Drawing upon our journalism and media experience, you will learn how journalists think and what they are looking for, how to best present your science for the media, and how to avoid the many pitfalls faced by the inexperienced. Our aim is to remove participants’ fear of dealing with the media, giving them the confidence to talk about their work and make the most of their time in the spotlight.

The day starts by looking at what the media want, and why journalists might contact you. We look at some real-life examples of interview techniques as we look at how to take control of the interview by staying on topic and bridging. We will look at suitable body language, how to avoid being misquoted, how to craft your story, how to get your message across succinctly and effectively. We all know that practice makes perfect; participants then get up close and personal during a mock-TV interview in front of the camera, in a studio setup complete with microphones and bright lighting.

It often feels like another day at work, until the phone rings or an email lands in your inbox asking you to be on a news segment later that day. The world of news works fast and often there is little time to prepare before going live on national TV; this course lets you know what to expect and how to make the most of the situation to promote your work and champion the ocean during your brief foray in the spotlight. With more and more researchers contributing to high-profile conference such as COP, this course will ensure your remain calm, professional and eloquent no matter what the situation or what questions that are fired your way.

Having worked as journalist at a range of newspapers from the Daily Star to The Guardian, Ian has a wealth of experience in journalism allowing participants an insight into the behind-the-scenes of the newsroom and crucially, into the mind of the journalist.

As a high-profile marine science communicator, Russell has been interviewed on Sky News, BBC World News, BBC Radio 4 and an array of BBC regional radio. Russell brings this experience to the table, helping participants understand the experience, showing how and how-not (!) to carry out an interview.