The Softer Side of Science Communication (Coursera)

The Softer Side of Science Communication (Coursera)

In this course, you will continue to explore how to develop and implement evidence-based methods for science communication. Here we’ll be looking at the softer but no less important side of science communication. We’ll cover the basics of human emotion, building connection with your audience through empathy and authenticity, how improv can improve your science communication game, non-verbal communication, and managing adversity in science communication. We’ll close with a discussion of how to be an inclusive and trauma-informed science communicator.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 2 of 3 in the Designing Effective Science Communication Specialization.

What You Will Learn

  • Explain the role of emotion in human behavior and how it can come up in science communication.
    • Explain why authenticity, trust, and empathy will help foster connection and consequently science communication.
  • Explain how improvisation, storytelling, and nonverbal communication can improve your science communication activities.
  • Describe how to be an inclusive and trauma informed science communicator.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
The Power of Emotion
In this module, you will learn about human emotions.

WEEK 2
Building Connection
In this module, you will discuss the importance of fostering trust in science communication. We will also discuss how to use empathy, vulnerability, and authenticity to do so. Finally, the third part of this module will talk about the use of storytelling, improvisation and non-verbal communication to build connection with your audiences.

WEEK 3
Conflict and Adversity in Science Communication
In this module, you will learn about conflict and science communication. We will also discuss strategies for managing active conflict and/or adversarial audiences.

WEEK 4
Inclusivity in Science Communication
In this module, we will discuss how to be inclusive science communicators. This includes how to be trauma informed, the balance of power in communication, designing for inclusion, and how to be culturally relevant. We'll close with a discussion of an ethical code for science communicators.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability: Circles of Care and Education (Coursera) Coursera
University of Cape Town

Severe to Profound Intellectual Disability: Circles of Care and Education (Coursera)

This course is about caring for and educating children (and youth) with severe to profound intellectual disability. We use the idea of 'circles' to position the child at the center of the many levels of support needed. Around the child are circles of care and education - such as the parents, family, friends, caregivers, educators, health care workers and others such as neighbors, business owners and community members.

Sep 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Conversations that Inspire: Coaching Learning, Leadership and Change (Coursera) Coursera
Case Western Reserve University

Conversations that Inspire: Coaching Learning, Leadership and Change (Coursera)

Coaching can inspire and motivate people to learn, change and be effective leaders, among other roles in life. Although most attempts are “coaching for compliance” (coaching someone to your wishes or expectations), decades of behavioral and neuroscience research show us that “coaching with compassion” (coaching someone to their dreams and desires) is more effective.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
e-Learning Ecologies: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Digital Age (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

e-Learning Ecologies: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning for the Digital Age (Coursera)

For three decades and longer we have heard educators and technologists making a case for the transformative power of technology in learning. However, despite the rhetoric, in many ways and at most institutional sites, education is still relatively untouched by technology. Even when technologies are introduced, the changes sometimes seem insignificant and the results seem disappointing. If the print textbook is replaced by an e-book, do the social relations of knowledge and learning necessarily change at all or for the better?

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Teaching Science at University (Coursera) Coursera
University of Zurich

Teaching Science at University (Coursera)

This course will prepare you for teaching science in higher education. In this MOOC you will learn to make your knowledge as an excellent researcher accessible to your students. We will show you how to communicate science to novices as well as advanced students in science.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress (Coursera)

Developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress will provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to understand and manage their emotions and those of their students. The 10-hour online course is designed for school staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, principals, and non-teaching staff in preK-12 schools.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mentaliser : de la théorie à l’intervention clinique (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Mentaliser : de la théorie à l’intervention clinique (Coursera)

Que signifie « Mentaliser » ? Comment cette faculté se développe-t-elle ? En quoi cette notion est incontournable pour comprendre les interactions humaines ? Qu’apporte-t-elle aux pratiques en santé mentale ? Toutes ces questions seront abordées dans notre MOOC « Mentaliser : de la théorie à l’intervention clinique ».

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy (Coursera)

Education is in a state of flux – transitioning from traditional architectures and practices to new ecologies of teaching and learning influenced by the tremendous social and technological changes of our times. What changes are afoot today in workplaces, civic life and everyday community life? What are their implications for education? What are the possible impacts of contemporary social transformations on teaching and learning - including in the areas of technology, media, globalization, diversity, changing forms of work in the “knowledge society”, and, in these contexts, changing learner needs and sensibilities? This course explores three pedagogical paradigms: “didactic”, “authentic” and “transformative” learning.

Sep 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Negotiating Learner Differences: Towards Productive Diversity in Learning (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Negotiating Learner Differences: Towards Productive Diversity in Learning (Coursera)

An investigation of the dimensions of learner diversity: material (class, locale), corporeal (age, race, sex and sexuality, and physical and mental characteristics) and symbolic (culture, language, gender, family, affinity and persona). Examines social-cultural theories of difference, as well as considering alternative responses to these differences in educational settings - ranging from broad, institutional responses to specific pedagogical responses within classes of students.

Sep 28th 2026
4 Weeks
Psicología (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de Palermo

Psicología (Coursera)

¿Qué estudia la psicología? ¿Qué hacen los psicólogos? ¿La conciencia, qué es? ¿Y el estrés? ¿Cómo aprendemos? La sensación y la percepción ¿son lo mismo? ¿El lenguaje depende de las ideas? ¿O será que nuestro pensamiento es dependiente del lenguaje que hablamos? ¿Querés conocer las respuestas a estos interrogantes? En este curso de Psicología podrás explorar sobre todo esto y mucho más. Al culminar su recorrido no solo vas a haber aprendido sobre las bases del cautivante mundo de la psicología, sino que contarás con herramientas que te permitirán conocerte mejor.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers (Coursera) Coursera
Exploratorium

Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers (Coursera)

This is an Exploratorium teacher professional development course taught by Teacher Institute staff, open to any science teacher (particularly middle or high school level) and science enthusiast. This is a hands-on workshop that explores topics and strategies teachers can use to help their students become active investigators of light.

Oct 4th 2026
4 Weeks