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

Feedback survey: At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.