Past workshops
Our most recent workshop was the Manchester ‘Standing up for Science’ media workshop open to early-career researchers in all sciences, engineering and medicine.
The workshop, held on 23rd March 2012 in Manchester and hosted by the University of Manchester, was well attended with tough competition for the 40 places.
Our panellists of scientists, journalists, press officers and Sense About Science representatives really inspired the participants to stand up for science and get involved in public debate. Attendees were able to voice their concerns about being represented in the media and receive 
great advice from panellists who used their past experiences and media insight responding to many questions.
Workshop highlights included engaging discussions between the early career researchers and the panellists, and productive group work sessions. Participants came away feeling the workshop was a worthwhile experience, inspired to contribute to public discussion about science.
Comments from the participants:
“Lots of good insights about science and the media.”
“Really good, really inspirational day – structure was excellent.”
“Well selected panel, with a variety of media experience, good advice and responses given.”
“Really good to speak to ‘actual’ journalists.”
“Compounded my desire to stand up for what I believe in.”
From left to right: Liza Williams, 
Liverpool Echo; Victoria Murphy, Sense About Science; Victoria Gill,
BBC Nature online; Rebekah Erlam, BBC Radio 5 Live
Read blogs and articles about the workshop:
Rob Lyon, PhD student in Computer Science at University of Manchester wrote about the workshop on his own blog, and for the University of Manchester University Skills website.
Hephzi Tagoe, MSc in Pharmaceutical Science and President of the Ghana Association of STEMs-UK (GAS-UK), participated in the workshop and volunteered on the day.
Laura Childs, PhD student in Applied Mathematics at University of Bristol
Grace Farhat, PhD student in Nutrition at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
With thanks to the University of Manchester, Elsevier, the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, the Medical Research Council, the Physiological Society, the Society for General Microbiology, the Biochemical Society, Manchester Metropolitan University, the Association for Clinical Biochemistry, the Society for Applied Microbiology, the Society of Endocrinology and Vitae North West Hub.
Previous workshop reports:
VoYS Workshop at University of Glasgow, 18th November 2011
VoYS Workshop for Biosciences at Linnean Society London, 17th June 2011
VoYS pinboard
Applications are now open for the Standing up for Science media workshop on 15th June in London for early career researchers in the life, medical and bioengineering sciences. Click for further details on this bioscience workshop.
Want to join the VoYS network? You can sign up here.
Read about a recent VoYS media workshop for researchers in all sciences, engineering and medicine at the University of Manchester.
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