About the Science Communication Unit (SCU)

The Science Communication Unit at UWE Bristol is internationally renowned for training science communicators and engaging the public with science.

To achieve our vision, the SCU seeks to lead and partner innovative and exciting research and practical public engagement projects that have an impact on the research community, science communication practitioners, students and society. The Unit should be known for world-class teaching and learning that embeds best practice in science communication and engagement approaches and is informed by its own internationally-leading research. Based on our innovative approaches, the SCU will play a leadership role in the next generation of science practitioners creating change for the future, thereby closing the gap between science and society.

To achieve our vision, our strategy is divided into three themes: Our Purpose, Our People and Our Place.

Our Purpose

To build on our profile for internationally excellent work in science communication, we will:

1. increase successful research bidding activity, including identifying new streams of research aligned to UWE Bristol beacons
2. continue to increase the quality and international standing of SCU research
3. develop interdisciplinary research partnerships
4. promote innovative CPD offerings and experiences that cater to local and global needs
5. promote outstanding research-embedded teaching and further develop our teaching partnerships.

Our People

To value, recognise and support our team achievements, we will:

1. promote supportive and inclusive practices with our team
2. encourage staff to proactively pursue their staff development
3. continue to promote a PhD student culture within the Unit.

Our Place

To provide leadership and share our expertise in science communication and engagement, we will:

1. plan conferences providing an opportunity to develop local networks, as well as further developing our national and international profile
2. increase capacity within the SCU to allow greater networking within the wider university, local and global communities enabling the SCU to capitalise on a range of tendering and bidding opportunities
3. achieve outstanding and far reaching science communication impact, working with a variety of stakeholders and communities, to embed knowledge exchange activities that enhance the policy- and practical-relevance of our work.

The Science Communication Unit seeks to bring science and society closer together. This means equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) underpin our core values and we seek to embed mutual respect and dignity for all people in our work.

We do this by committing to:

• implementing UWE Bristol EDI policies and procedures in our practices, and seeking to reflect on and learn from best practice both internally and externally.
• supporting SCU staff and students to play an active role in key EDI initiatives such as projects that are addressing the Awarding Gap, Athena Swan, and the Disabled Staff network.
• encouraging all staff to engage with mandatory and optional training and mentoring on EDI offered by UWE Bristol, and externally, as part of everyone’s professional development.

This will help us to:

• reflect on ways in which our research, teaching, and knowledge exchange may adhere to or conflict with EDI principles through team meetings and one-to-one conversations.
• listen to and engage with feedback (including challenges) from students and staff, using this feedback to improve our awareness and actions associated with EDI.
• assess, on an annual basis, areas where we have strengths in terms of our EDI activities and behaviours, and areas where we need to take action.

Together this will mean we can:

• contribute to the significant structural changes required to reduce marginalisation, facilitate decolonisation and enhance social justice in science communication via our teaching, research, publications and modelling of behaviour. 
• create a welcoming and enabling space for our staff and students so that they feel valued for the assets that their unique perspectives bring and confident to be their true selves as members of the SCU.

This commitment to inclusivity was co-created with the team in the Science Communication Unit in January 2025.