Abstract

Strategies, languages and interdisciplinary design of scientific content for new media, digital environments and public communication of research.

The course aims to provide PhD students with the theoretical and practical tools needed to design research communication content for new media. In a communication ecosystem characterised by the central role of digital platforms, the ability to translate specialist knowledge into accessible, rigorous and effective forms is now a core skill for researchers. The course will focus in particular on the design of multimedia and hypertext products — short videos, podcasts, visual content and digital editorial formats — through interdisciplinary group work geared towards the creation of real-world content.

Course stages
1. Theoretical module
Theoretical and methodological frameworks for public communication of research: the digital ecosystem, the specific characteristics of new media, the relationship between scientific rigour, making something easier, storytelling and credibility, and the internal and external functions of public communication.

2. Practical module
Analysis of formats, case studies and practices in digital science communication; introduction to editorial planning; formation of interdisciplinary working groups.

3. Group project work
Development of a real-world research communication project: theme, audience, communication objectives, editorial plan, development of one or more digital or audio/video products.

4. Final workshop and feedback
Presentation, discussion and review of the products created, with a focus on strengths, critical issues and the transferability of results.

Learning objectives
By the end of the course, participants will have acquired the ability to:

-    understand the strategic role of public engagement in contemporary research;

-    distinguish between audiences, styles, formats and platforms in scientific communication;

-    design rigorous public engagement content suitable for new media;

-    communicate research results to non-specialist audiences and to scientific colleagues outside their own field;

-    work in interdisciplinary teams to develop editorial and multimedia products

Calendar

Theory section:
Dates: 
22 June 2026, 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm
23 June 2026, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm 
and 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm
24 June 2026, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Applied part (Project work carried out in person and in groups, with online support from the lecturer)
Dates:
29 June 2026, 3.00 pm – 6.00 pm
30 June 2026, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm

Final workshop and feedback 
Date: 2 July 2026, 4.00 pm – 6.00 pm

Lecturers

Dario De Santis
Dott. Samuele Calzone

Registration

Registration is open on PhD Notebook until: 11 June 2026.

Format
In presence and in Italian

Venue
Classrooms to be confirmed