People in science communication

When we're thinking about quality science communication we can consider the processes and the people. I've shared a potential framework for the processes of science communication. But how do we support the people who do science communication to deliver good science communication?

If we agree on what good quality science communication looks like (and I'm not making any guarantees that we can!), then we should be able to identify knowledge, skills and attributes that people in the field hold.

I know that not everyone in the science communication sector will agree they work in the field of education, but many do (in a recent survey published by the British Science Assocation approximately 30% of those responding the survey said they worked in education, another third worked in science communication and 21% in public engagement). The Higher Education Academy has developed a professional development framework for use by those who teach in universities. The UKPSF (UK Professional Standards Framework) is straightforward and comprehensive. It covers three areas: activity, knowledge and values.

The UKPSF
Activities:
A1: Design and plan learning activities and/or programmes of study 
A2: Teach and/or support learning
A3: Assess and give feedback to learners
A4: Develop effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance
A5: Engage in continuing professional developments in subjects/disciplines and their pedagogy, incorporating research, scholarship and the evaluation of professional practices

x

Knowledge:
K1: The subject material
K2: Appropriate methods for teaching and learning in the subject area and at the level of the academic programme
K3: How students learn, both generally and within their subject/discipline area
K4: The use and value of appropriate learning technologies
K5: Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of teaching 
K6: The implications of quality assurance and quality enhancement for academic and professional practice with a particular focus on teaching 

Values:
V1: Respect individual learners and diverse learning communities
V2: Promote participation in higher education and equality of opportunity for learners 
V3: Use evidence informed approaches and the outcomes from research, scholarship and continuing professional development 
V4: Acknowledge the wider context in which higher education operates recognising the implications for professional practice

How relevant is this for science communicators? Perhaps we change the word learn for something else - engage? 

During the 2009 Science for All consultation Graphic Science and the NCCPE developed a draft attributes framework. Does this work better?

Are there any other frameworks that you use? The Institute for Outdoor Learning are also developing professional standards, are these more relevant than the UKPSF?