SKM 2023 – scientific programme

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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 62: Focus Session: Wissenschaftskommunikation / Outreach (joint session HL/O/TT)

O 62.6: Talk

Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 17:30–17:45, POT 81

Chair PR representative as a doctoral student’s secondary task: A field report — •Paula M. Weber, Felix Friedrich, and Manuel Seitz — Physikalisches Institut, Experimentelle Physik II, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany

Especially in recent years, it has become more important to communicate one’s scientific work and methods to the public in order to show that in the scientific world, knowledge can only be created through research and the scientific process. Yet, extra time besides research is often limited and it is thus difficult to get into science communication. In this talk, I would like to present how PhD students can use their interest in science communication to benefit their own research group as a part-time PR representative.

In the first part of my talk, I will report on our efforts to attract new bachelor and master students. This advertising is focused on an audience with a scientific background, such that lab tours and advertising posters may contain scientific language and references. The second part is about communication with the general public, who usually know physics from their school days. Here, I will report on how we presented our research activities at the Night of Science in Physics and at the "Highlights der Physik" in Würzburg.

Working part-time as a PR representative could encourage doctoral students to try their hand at science communication and develop the associated communication skills.