Training Venue: Mombasa, Kenya
Training Dates: 17th – 21st November 2025
Application Submission: Interested applicants should submit their applications through this online form by 26th October 2025.
Overview: The power of science is undeniable in a world grappling with complex global challenges. But for scientific insights to truly make an impact, they must effectively reach and resonate with people beyond the academic sphere, which is the focus of the Science Communication to Policy & Spatial Storytelling Lab.
The Lab is an intensive five-day program, running from November 17th to 21st, 2025, in Mombasa, Kenya, designed to equip you with the essential skills to maximise your impact. WIOMSA’s SCALABLE Programme, in collaboration with regional and global partners, will offer a hands-on opportunity to refine your communication skills.
Ready to make your science count? Apply today!
Course Objective: The overall objective of the training is to build the skills and confidence of scientists and related professionals in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, thereby bridging the gap between science and society through clear, engaging, and accessible communication.
Course Topics
- Foundations of Effective Science Communication: Introduces the core concepts of science communication, including its importance, public perception of science, audience segmentation, and the ethical considerations involved.
- Crafting the Message & Visualising Science with Communication Tools: Delves into co-design principles in science communication, emphasising the value of digital and spatial tools. It focuses on compelling storytelling, messaging, and content creation, with practical exercises in framing data as compelling narratives, including an introduction to spatial storytelling with GIS.
- Building Skills for Engagement and Storytelling with Spatial Data: Dedicated to mastering the art of storytelling using spatial data and GIS tools. Participants explore accessible GIS resources, deconstruct professional story maps, and learn to create dynamic web maps for policy communication. The day culminates in hands-on activities that allow participants to develop individual StoryMaps based on their research.
- Science Communication Strategies for WIO: Focuses on practical application, covering public speaking and engagement techniques, creative writing in science communication, and impactful presentation strategies. It also explores the use of social media for ocean literacy and digital tools to enhance communication, with an emphasis on packaging science communication portfolios.
- Science Communication Integration and Application: Integrating and applying learned skills in a sustained manner. This includes launching a Science Communication Community of Practice to foster ongoing collaboration and skill-sharing beyond the training, as well as celebrating the program’s conclusion with a World Cafe session focused on community engagement and debunking myths.
Target Audience and Benefits
The training targets for marine scientists, researchers, postgraduate students, environmental communicators, and science policy professionals working within the Western Indian Ocean region. Participants will benefit from interactive, hands-on sessions that enhance their ability to engage effectively with the public, policymakers, and the media.
Through practical exercises, peer learning, and expert guidance, participants will leave equipped to make their science matter — ensuring that research findings not only generate knowledge but also inform decisions, inspire communities, and drive positive change.
Outcome
By the end of the training, participants will have developed the skills and confidence to communicate scientific information creatively, clearly, engagingly, and strategically to diverse audiences across the Western Indian Ocean region. They will be equipped to foster greater public trust in science, influence policymaking processes, counter misinformation, and contribute to a more scientifically informed and sustainability-driven society.
