Event

Hosted by the Science Media Centre

The Science Media Centre is running its flagship Introduction to the News Media Event on the afternoon of Thursday 5 March, hosted by the University of Birmingham but open to all.  The target audience is researchers and academics who are interested in finding out more about how science is covered in the media and who have little to no prior experience of doing media work.

Introduction to the News Media is a seminar devised over 15 years ago by the Science Media Centre aimed at persuading the best scientists of the case for engaging with the media.  We do this through a number of things:

• A talk from a press officer from the SMC, demonstrating clear examples of the way great researchers engaging with the media improves the quality of science being reported;
• A talk from an institutional science press officer who explains what support is available to scientists wanting to interact with journalists;
• A rare opportunity to listen to and question a panel of national news science journalists about the way they report science, what they need from you and how best to engage with them to get the most accurate coverage;
• A panel of several scientists who have put their toe in the choppy media waters and lived to tell the tale giving you the good, the bad and the ugly of their experiences.

It’s a hugely informative, entertaining and popular afternoon.  And it’s FREE.  We’re very grateful to the University of Birmingham for hosting us.

The event is 1-5pm, with registration (and tea and coffee) from 12.30pm, then a drinks reception at the end until 6.30pm.

Your scientists need to register their interest to attend the event here: Introduction to the News Media 2026 Registration – Fill out form.