This module is designed to introduce students to the interdisciplinary nature of communication strategies, drawing on literature from diverse research areas such as psychology, anthropology, environmental communication and conservation biology.

The module explores how communication can be used to understand and engage different audiences, influence behaviour and develop effective conservation campaigns.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognise the complexity of communication needs surrounding environmental and conservation initiatives.
• Critically evaluate the efficacy and limitations of existing communication methods, and apply practical skills to enable communication with different target audiences.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the communication and behaviour change theories that underpin this discipline.
• Work effectively within a team, making appropriate use of the capacities of team members and managing or resolving potential conflict situations.

Careers / Further study

Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are essential skills across the conservation profession.

This module prepares students for careers involving:

• Public engagement
• Behaviour change
• Environmental education
• Science communication
• Policy advocacy
• Conservation campaigning
• Project management

Graduates will be well placed to work with:

• NGOs
• Government agencies
• Zoos
• Museums
• Environmental consultancies
• Community organisations

The theoretical and practical communication skills developed also support further study in environmental psychology, conservation social science, science communication and public policy.

Content

The module syllabus typically covers:

Interdisciplinary communication

• The interdisciplinary nature of communication strategies.
• Literature and approaches drawn from psychology, anthropology, environmental communication and conservation biology.
• Understanding the complexity of communication needs surrounding environmental and conservation initiatives.

Conservation psychology and behaviour change theory

• Conservation psychology.
• Behaviour change theories underpinning environmental communication.
• Applying communication theory to conservation initiatives.

Understanding and engaging with audiences

• Methods for understanding and engaging with different audiences.
• Participatory methods.
• Listening skills.
• Qualitative interviewing.
• Citizen science.
• Communicating effectively with different target audiences.

Practical communication skills

• Presenting.
• Lobbying.
• Publishing.
• Developing practical communication skills for professional conservation contexts.

Campaign design

• Effective conservation campaign design.
• Critical appraisal of current and historical communication campaigns.
• Reflecting on and evaluating your own communication work.

Learning and Teaching

• Scheduled learning includes ten online 60-minute sessions and two four-day teaching blocks.
• Independent learning includes preparation for teaching sessions, development of communication skills and work towards the assessment activities.

Study time

The module consists of six online 60-minute sessions and two four-day teaching blocks, complemented by independent learning.

Assessment

Summative Assessment

Assignment 1 (60% of module mark): A 4,000-word portfolio demonstrating and documenting some of the communication skills learnt throughout the course by creating conservation campaign materials, such as websites, sculptures, T-shirts, posters, short films, etc.

Assignment 2 (40% of module mark): A 30-minute group presentation outlining plans for a conservation campaign.

Together, the assessments enable students to apply communication and behaviour change theory to the practical development of conservation campaigns, while demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively with different audiences and work collaboratively.