Science Communicator

As a Science Communicator you translate complex scientific research and ideas into clear, engaging content for public audiences, whether through museum exhibitions, science festivals, broadcast media, podcasts, or written articles. You work closely with researchers, journalists, educators, and cultural institutions to make discoveries accessible and relevant to everyday life. On a typical day you might script a short explainer video, prepare materials for a Sci-Fest event, liaise with an SFI-funded research team about an outreach programme, or write a feature piece for a general-interest publication. You may also evaluate the effectiveness of communications campaigns and gather feedback to improve future outputs. The role sits at the intersection of science, storytelling, and public engagement, and no two working weeks look quite the same.

A Leaving Certificate with strong results in subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Geography provides a solid foundation for entry into this field. The typical minimum qualification is an NFQ Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree; relevant programmes include degrees in science (any discipline), journalism, media studies, or English literature, often combined with a postgraduate diploma or master's in science communication offered at institutions such as UCD, University of Galway, or DCU. Some practitioners enter through a science degree and then complete an NFQ Level 9 master's specifically in science communication, public engagement, or technical communication, which is increasingly preferred by employers. There is no statutory professional registration body for science communicators in Ireland, though membership of organisations such as the British Science Association or relevant journalism bodies can enhance your professional profile. PLC courses in media production or digital content creation at Level 5 or 6 can be a useful stepping stone before progressing to a degree programme.