This is a two-part workshop on science communications using a behaviour change approach, sharing insights from BehaviourWorks Australia (BWA), a university-based behaviour change research enterprise that works with government and industry to find behavioural solutions to real-world problems.

The workshop will begin by taking attendees step-by-step through a model of behaviour change which can be applied to science communications (the “Comms Mini Method”). The second part of the workshop will focus on the practical side of communications, sharing learnings from BWA’s science communications experiences.

This workshop is based on BWA training to develop capability in science communications among new behavioural insights teams in government and industry.

 

Structure

The session will consist of three sections.
(1) The first section will focus on applying the BWA Method (https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/the-method/) of behaviour change to science communications. Kun Zhao or Mark Boulet will present this behavioural approach to communications, dubbed the “Comms Mini Method” and its three stages of “Exploration”, “Deep Dive”, and “Application”.

(2) The second section will focus on the practical side of BWA’s experiences in behaviour change communications with government and industry. Geoff Paine will present on BWA’s own communications activities and products, as well as learnings, issues, and challenges.

(3) The third section will be an informal Q and A discussion with the audience around the content in the first two sessions, plus some of the common issues that are encountered in this area of science communications (e.g., how do we manage expectations and communicate what behavioural insights can do?).

 

What will participants gain from attending your session?

The session aims to provide attendees with a practical understanding of how behaviour change methods can be applied to the communications planning process. This is done by taking attendees step-by-step through the Comms Mini Method.

The session also aims to share with attendees BWA’s own experiences from communicating about behaviour change with government and industry, including practical tips, learnings, and remedies for common problems. It is intended that attendees can draw from the BWA perspective and apply these to their own communications challenges and issues.

As the Comms Mini Method is relatively new, the session presenters also wish to receive some feedback from attendees on the Comms Mini Method (e.g., what could be improved, what other contexts it could be applied, what are some potential shortcomings with the approach).

 

Presenters

Kun Zhao, Research fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia, MSDI

Mark Boulet, Research fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia, MSDI

Geoff Paine, Content Curator, BehaviourWorks Australia, MSDI

 

When: Monday 17th February, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Where: Room G31, Learning and Teaching Building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton
Hashtag: TBC