ENGS212M
Tech Journalism: Analysis and Communication in Engineering
and Technology
Faculty of Engineering
Overview
This module will focus on giving you two sets of skills: the ability to analyze trends in science,
engineering and technology research and development, and to communicate these trends
persuasively to a particular audience, whether general, technical, or expert. Specifically, you will
learn how to put R&D projects into context, so determining their significance; identify emerging
research trends by looking at journals and conference programmes and/or proceedings; and
consider the impact of people, policy, and economics on engineering and technology. As well as
tuition, practice and detailed feedback on your writing and research, you will also have the
opportunity to do interviews, attend conferences, and go on laboratory visits.
In addition, you will learn the invaluable skill of being able to constructively criticize, analyse, and
edit the work of others. Specifically, you will learn how to identify holes in technical arguments,
consider whether the level of jargon/explanation is appropriate for a stated purpose, and give
clear feedback on the structure and language used.
The grounding that you will receive in in both analysis and communication will help prepare you
for a career in consultancy, technical communication, management, policymaking, and journalism.
It will also help students interested in a research career, as it will help in the crafting of effective
papers and grant proposals.
Prerequisites: None
Taught by: Dr Sunny Bains
Sunny Bains is a scientist, journalist, editor, and Senior Teaching Fellow at UCL Engineering.
She has a BSc in Physics (QMUL), MS in Journalism (Boston University) and a PhD in Physical
Computation in Embodied Artificial Intelligence (OU). She has written for The Economist, Wired,
Science, New Scientist, EE Times and Laser Focus World (for which she held the position of
News Editor). She has edited publications related to optical computing, robotics, AI,
neuromorphic engineering, holography, and nanotechnology, and is Editor of UCL ENGins, to be
launched in 2015.
Aims
This module is aimed at engineers and physical scientists who intend to have careers in
communication, government, non-governmental organizations and/or at the top layers of
technical management. By learning and practicing the principles of technical journalism they will
be better able to analyse new research, research trends, and how these trends may affect policy
(or be affected by policy). In addition, they will have the skills to communicate the problems and
opportunities that result.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students should be able to:
•
Understand how to analyse scientific/technical progress in the context of both technical
and societal trends
•
•
Use that analysis to research and write:
o A report on the fact and implications of a new piece of research
o An interview of an important figure that inspires or enlightens
o A conference report that highlights an emerging technical trend
o A book review that places the book and the field described in the context
o A feature on a research or industrial trend, or on a policy trend that may impact
research/industry
o A press-release that would be attractive to journalists
o An audio or video podcast
Edit the work of others for both content and (to a lesser extent) style.
Method of Instruction
The course will consist of 20 x 2h seminar classes over the Spring term, each preceded by
assignments, reading, flipped lectures, and other homework which will be discussed in class.
Assessment
The course has the following assessment components:
Coursework Section (5 pieces, 100%)