Picture Credit: ConvertKit on Unsplash

Registration closed at 17:00 on Monday, September 2, 2024 - details are left here for information only

You do not need any experience in podcasting to join this course, however a little experience in writing/journalism could be useful - writing press releases, writing your own blog, or for a student outlet for example, it doesn't need to be mainstream - as this will help you with your interviews and ideas for content.   

Date: Thursday, September 5, 2024

Time: 10:00 -18:00 

Venue: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX

Course Content

Why podcast 

  • The advantages and pitfalls of audio
  • How is it different from print

What to record

  • Subject matter - news, background, comment, discussion, profile, investigative
  • Format - interview, feature, package

Where to record

  • Studio office or home? 
  • Location 
  • Remote links (Zoom, Zencastr etc)

How to record

  • Technology - the minimum requirement for good recordings - and how to use it
  • Mono or stereo?
  • Learning to listen! How the room and how you use the gear is more important than the gear itself
  • Microphones and where to shove them
  • Interviewing for audio compared to print

Adding magic

  • Audio pictures and location sound
  • Location links
  • The sounds you want and the sounds you don't
  • Finding the magic moment

Practical Session

  • Interviewing researchers from RAL

Editing, linking and mixing

  • Editing software and how to use it
  • Spot the best bits
  • Scripting and linking
  • Mixing effects and music

Placing your podcast

  • Podcast platforms and hosting
  • Marketing and building listeners
  • Monetising your podcast

Practical editing

  • Linking and mixing

Your trainers .....

Emma Brisdion

Emma Brisdion is Campaigns Lead at The Rivers Trust, working on State of Our Rivers, Big River Watch, & external communications strategy. She is the podcast producer for: Beaver Trust, For What It's Earth, and Small Screen Science (ASBW Science Podcast of the Year 2022 Finalist)

Martin Redfern

Martin Redfern is an award winning freelance writer and audio producer at Kalliope Media.  Before going freelance to pursue a range of audio projects he spent 37 years as a science producer at BBC Radio.  As well as his extensive audio experience Martin has also written extensively on science for magazines and newspapers and is a published author. 

Coffee/tea and lunch will be provided

Tickets are limited to enable those attending to get the most from the course so make sure you book your place early

If you are suffering financial hardship and believe that attending the course would benefit your career then do get in touch with ABSW.

We can also arrange a payment plan if you are struggling to pay the course fee as one lump sum - get in touch with ABSW.

Why not join the ABSW to receive member's rates for the course along with all the other benefits of membership?

Join Now

Bring-a-friend discount!

Invite your friends/colleagues and you each get a 20% discount on the course fee.
When registering, add the name and email of your friend(s)/colleague(s) who will also be registering; they should do the same.
You should all pay the full course fee in the appropriate category. Once we match your registration with that of your friend(s)/colleague(s) we will refund 20% of the fee paid to all of you.

If you have any questions, write to us at info[a]absw.org.uk.

The Association of British Science Writers is registered in England and Wales under company number 07376343 at 76 Glebe Lane, Barming, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9BD.
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