Looking for media training? We offer highly-acclaimed workshops and talks created for scientists and researchers under the SAVVY banner.
Whether you’re ready to talk to the media, or wanting to upskill your science communications for the future, we can help!
See upcoming workshop dates or register your interest for future workshops.
Science Media SAVVY
- Our flagship media and communication skills workshop for researchers actively preparing to speak to the media.
- Two days. Limited to 12 people. Offered four times a year at locations across Aotearoa.
Media SAVVY for Māori researchers
- Supporting kaupapa Māori and whakawhanaungatanga, this is our Science Media SAVVY programme with focus on both mainstream and Māori media.
- Two days. Limited to 12 people. Fully funded.
SAVVY Express
- An express, one-on-one media training opportunity offered at selected conferences. Tailor messages, practice on camera and create a 90-second video about your research.
- 15 minutes each, for 15-25 conference participants.
Free monthly talks
- Free monthly webinar on topics like preparing to talk to the media, and getting the most out of social media.
- A great place to start for experts who want to communicate their work, or as a refresher for those who already have some experience.
Tailored training
- Create training to suit your needs, or the needs of your research group or institute.
- From half-day, or full-day make-your-own-content workshops, to large-scale lectures or interactive talks.
Science communication resources
- Desk Guides, how-to-videos, and resources freely available online.
- For researchers looking to improve their communication skills in their own time.
Video workshops
- Learn how to create content and make great videos on your research.
- No longer available through the SMC, but can be arranged independently.
Upcoming workshops
Click the name of the workshop to see the form to apply. If nothing scheduled meets your needs you can sign up for alerts here.
2024-2025 schedule
| Last Thurs of each month | Free monthly talks – Online |
| December 5-6, 2024 | Science Media SAVVY – Wellington waitlist applications only |
| January 23-24, 2025 | Media SAVVY for Pacific Researchers – Auckland |
Why choose SAVVY?
We’ve been helping journalists covering science since our launch in 2008. Our experience shows that the best way to get quality media coverage, is to improve researchers’ skills in communicating their area of expertise. Researchers can apply these same skills to improve their research impact, raise the profile of important issues, attract funding and engage with peers and the public.
Our programme’s overarching goals are to:
- broaden the pool of researchers willing and able to engage effectively with an increasingly time-poor media
- encourage scientists to be more proactive and thoughtful about the way they communicate
- improve researchers’ understanding of the media’s needs and motivations
- build awareness and skills that have flow-on benefits for researchers’ careers
- increase research impact by making it easier to engage with and more relevant for the public