Science Explainer Content Development
University of Chicago Central Communications Office
Mentor
Louise Lerner, Physical Sciences News Officer, University of Chicago Central Communications Office
Background
The Office of Central Communications specializes in content creation, media relations, public affairs, brand strategy, and video and audio production for the University of Chicago. We seek to maximize positive exposure to the discoveries of world-leading UChicago researchers by generating news stories, press releases, profiles, videos, and social media posts that highlight field-defining work.
Internship Description
The intern will work with the Physical Sciences News Officer on an ongoing project to write several 1,500-word encyclopedia-style entries about research topics that University of Chicago researchers had a defining role in, such as the solar wind or behavioral economics. These will be posted to the UChicago website. These “explainers” are written to be as understandable as possible to any curious layperson who is googling the topic. Information is gathered through independent research as well as interviews with current faculty or researchers. The intern will also work with the News Officer to identify or produce multimedia to accompany each explainer, such as photos, illustrations, infographics, or videos. They may also write text for use in social media posts. At the end of the internship the intern will understand how to write for a lay audience, including catching and holding the interest of readers and how to lay out explanations of complex topics. They will also gain experience in a typical university communications office—such as the editorial process in science communication.
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Specific Objectives
- Communicate complex concepts to lay readers
- Learn how to structure and conduct interviews with researchers
- Learn to create science content for a digital audience, including multimedia and social media
- Work closely with an editor and vet work with faculty as needed
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Deliverables
- The intern will complete two “explainers” over the course of a 10-week internship, including finding or creating at least three pieces of multimedia to accompany each one.
Qualifications
- Basic English language writing skills
- Comfortability with receiving constructive feedback