Teaching, training and public engagment
Teaching
Lecturing in science communication at undergraduate and postgraduate level I have made contributions to a number of courses that examine science communication and public engagement. I have produced a range of mixed media materials and developed e-learning approaches for several postgraduate open and distance learning courses that constitute the MSc in Science and Society. These include:
SH804 Communicating science in the information age
Anyone with an interest in how and why we communicate science will benefit from this postgraduate science course, which is a component course for the MSc in Science and Society. Using case studies and articles, you’ll consider how science is communicated in different settings, through a range of traditional and digital media, and what frameworks and methods have been proposed for researching these communications. You’ll explore how scientists communicate with each other and look at the role of public engagement activities, science centres and museums, print media, and digital television and radio in representing the sciences.
SEH806 Contemporary issues in science learning
This masters-level course examines different aspects of science learning in a range of formal educational settings, from the early years right through to tertiary level. You’ll examine how the development of science education reflects current theories of learning, and consider – among other issues – the purposes of teaching and learning science at all levels of education; and how context influences learning. You’ll investigate how science education research is carried out, and look at resources used to support science learners – particularly information and communications technology (ICT). The course will benefit anyone engaged in teaching science at any level, and science graduates seeking a better understanding of science education.
I am also the Deputy Director of the Science Short Module Programme. Science Short Modules contribute to the Certificate in contemporary science.
Previously, I worked on the cross-disciplinary course team that produced the undergraduate course S250 Science in context. Adopting an issues-based approach to a number of contemporary science-based topics (e.g. BSE/vCJD, climate change, near-Earth objects, nanotechnology, genetic manipulation) I acted as the theme co-ordinator for the course, providing advice and guidance to Science Faculty colleagues from a range of scientific disciplines on aspects of communication, risk, ethical issues and decision making. I also co-authored the introduction and conclusions to the course, and the BSE/vCJD topic.
I worked on the now discontinued postgraduate science course, S802 Science and the public, authoring materials on HIV-AIDS and producing a disc-based resource kit to support social research.
Training
Working with Jeff Thomas (Life Sciences) and Matthew Harvey (The Royal Society) we developed and delivered a career and professional development course that examined issues relevant to current debates about sciences and their publics.
The follow-up materials are hosted on the Open University’s Open Learn site at: openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3474.
I have also produced materials for a postgraduate training course for scientists, technologists and mathematicians that introduces early career STEM professionals to current debates about sciences and their publics. Produced in 2005, these materials are available from Open Learn and: An introduction to communicating science.
Selected teaching and training publications
Selected text
Holliman, R. and Yates, S. (2011). 'Broadcast, print and online media: production, content and reception', Block 4 of SH804 Communicating science in the information age. The Open University, Milton Keynes (third edition).
Holliman, R. and Ross, S. (2011). 'Information and communications technologies in science learning', Block 3 of SEH806 Contemporary issues in science learning. The Open University, Milton Keynes (third edition).
Scanlon, E, and Holliman, R. (2011). 'Researching science communication in the information age', Block 5 of SH804 Communicating science in the information age. The Open University, Milton Keynes (third edition).
Whitelegg, E., Holliman, R. and Day, G. (2011). 'Communicating science in informal settings', Block 3 of SH804 Communicating science in the information age. The Open University, Milton Keynes (third edition).
Smidt, S., Scanlon, E, and Holliman, R. (2011). 'Communicating science in the information age: An introduction', Block 1 of SH804 Communicating science in the information age. The Open University, Milton Keynes (third edition).
Holliman, R. and Murphy, P. (2007). Introduction to the course and Topic 1: BSE/vCJD. S250 Science in Context. The Open University, Milton Keynes (second edition).
Murphy, P. and Holliman, R. (2007). Conclusion to the course. In Ross, S., Smidt, S. and Thomas, J. Topic 7: Nanotechnology. S250 Science in Context. The Open University, Milton Keynes (second edition).
Holliman, R. (2002). HIV/AIDS: a global pandemic. S802 Science in the public. The Open University, Milton Keynes.
Selected other media
I have produced two albums for the Open University’s iTunes U platform, and a number of other outputs for delivery on DVD (see below for examples). I wrote and presented a lecture on upstream public engagement with science and technology for the Japanese University of the Air. This has recently had its broadcast run extended.
Imagining scientists, written and presented by Richard Holliman for iTunes U. For further details, select: http://isotope.open.ac.uk/?q=node/739 (2010).
Can television engage publics? Written and presented by Richard Holliman for the postgraduate science course Communication science in the information age. (2009 - on DVD video)
Science communication and public engagement, an album compiled by Richard Holliman for iTunes U. The album features contributions from Alan Irwin, Jon Turney, Susan Greenfield, Vic Pearson, Ian Flintoff, Robert Lambourne and Richard Holliman. For more details, select: http://isotope.open.ac.uk/?q=node/700 (2010).