Summary
Course description
A 1,5 day hands-on science communication learning lab for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). Focused on audience concretization, strategy, and practical application rather than generic media training. Participants bring a real project to work on directly. The goal of the Blue Impact lab is to provide participants with a workflow and strategic tools to use at the start of their science communication efforts.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand why and where science communication does not get traction
- Understand the difference between awareness and adoption by an audience
- Map a real target audience for their project, more specific than “the general public”
- Understand communication as a strategic choice, not an output after the fact
- Reframe a message toward what that audience needs to take away
- Read in real time whether a message is working, and adjust it if needed
- Give and receive structured, useful feedback on communication work from peers
- Leave the lab with at least one peer contact they can turn to for feedback on their communication work going forward
Course content
DAY 1: 10 September 2026 (13:00-17:00)
- Goal setting & Agenda
- Science communication with impact
- Writing your core message and who you’re actually trying to reach
- Does the message connect (or not)?
- Backcasting and sharing
- Recap and prep for day 2
DAY 2: 11 September 2026 (10:00-17:00)
- The Impact Workflow
- Define your own impact for this case
- Audience concretization
- Audience context and entry points
- Message stress-test
- Backcasting and sharing
- Close and next steps
Target audience and prerequisites:
Early Career Ocean Professionals already working (not students only). From a marine-related master programme or from a marine-related sector (governmental, non-governmental, private sector or academia). Primarily Belgian/European context since course will be on-site. Senior/expert practitioners also participate, in an audience role.
Prerequisites:
- Working experience in the marine sector or research
- A real working case to bring, or a credible substitute (e.g. the November Ocean conference, for participants without an active project)
- Working proficiency in English
Language of instruction: English
Instructor(s): Tom Janssen (creators for Climate) main instructor and facilitator
Course structure: Blended format. Online part: IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy + Onsite part: InnovOceanCampus- VLIZ, Jacobsenstraat 1-8400 Oostende, Belgium
Course duration: +/- 9-10 hours
Learner assessment: Non-scored. Participants submit a copy (photograph) of filled-in digital or physical canvases. Submissions kept private given sensitive case studies may be discussed.
Evaluation/certificate:
Certificate issued via OTGA on completion. Criteria: full attendance across both days plus canvas submission
Technology requirements and pre-requisites: None required to follow the course. May offer an AI tool as a optional extra, not mandatory – non pre-requisites.
Application process: OTGA application form – open till 21 August 2026- Link available HERE
max number of people: 25
costs: free of charge
The course is financed by the National Decade Committee for Belgium as a support to capacity development opportunities for ECOPs, local networks in Belgium, and contribution to blue skills and IOC-UNESCO Capacity development strategy (2023-2030).
Lunch and coffee break will be provided for both days of the training
Travel costs are covered by the participants