GV3CNM: Communicating Climate and Environmental Science in the News Media

Module code: GV3CNM

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Jess Neumann, email: j.l.neumann@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Hannah Cloke, email: h.l.cloke@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 27 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to understand theory and apply practical skills for effective science communication through the news media, with a particular focus on climate and environmental science topics. ��

Many people rely on a combination of print (e.g. papers), broadcast (e.g. radio, TV), digital (e.g. podcast, news apps) and short-form media (e.g. Tik Tok) to access scientific information and content. The ability to effectively communicate through different news outlets is critical for informing the public about complex scientific information in an accessible manner relevant to everyday life.

Engaging with the news media bridges the gap between researchers and the public, fosters informed dialogue on critical environmental issues, and seeks to combat misinformation and “fake news” to help inform policy and decision-making.

As a final year student, this module offers you the opportunity to learn about, try out, and build your confidence with different communication methods in a low-pressure environment, tailored within a news media context. Communication is a key employability skill relevant to a range of different careers.��

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:��

1. Explain the importance of working with the news media to help the public understand and engage with complex scientific information.
2. Understand and apply a range of different skills and techniques for providing evidence-based commentary on current environmental issues through a variety of different media types. ��
3. Understand what the news media requires from scientists including what makes a story newsworthy, working to media time frames, different interview formats and the level of technical detail and expertise expected.

Module content

This module will involve a combination of lecture-seminars and practical-based sessions covering:

• the importance of effective science communication for society
• how the news media works
• what makes a newsworthy story
• how to distil in-depth scientific concepts in a quick and accessible manner
• practical communication skills for different media types
• confidence building
• performing on and off camera
• recording and editing media content
• the wider application of transferrable science communication skills for engaging with other audiences such as policy-makers, public talks, entertainment industry, education and careers.
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The module will focus on a variety of current newsworthy topics which may include, but not limited to: extreme weather events, flooding, drought, climate change, water resources, energy crisis, sewage pollution, public health, and the biodiversity crisis.

Students will be able to focus their first assessment on topic(s) linked to their own interests and will have the opportunity to take part in simulated pre-recorded and/or “as-live” interviews (radio/ TV) as part of their learning.����

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will include lectures on key concepts in science communication, guest seminars by experts and practitioners working in the science media, and practical classes to develop communication skills and techniques.

Regular formative exercises will allow students to practice, consolidate and critique their media skills relating to interview performance, speaking with confidence and controlling the narrative.

The assessment is based on real-world news media formats.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs