The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, hosted an orientation workshop on 26 February 2024 to train the Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) staff as well as PhD students with effective strategies to communicate S&T stories to the public through radio.

Shri Manoj Mainkar, Programme Executive at All India Radio, New Delhi Station, shared his valuable insights on crafting compelling science narratives for the audio format. He delved into the essential elements of vocal delivery, including Voice Quality (VQ), Voice Emotional Quotient (VEQ), and texture. He addressed the importance of clear pronunciation, engaging delivery, and effective use of modern spoken language, both English and Hindi, to connect with diverse audiences and make science stories come alive for radio listeners.

Dr Sujit Bhattacharya, Chief Scientist and officiating Director of CSIR-NIScPR, emphasised the importance of radio in science communication, which bridges the gap between scientific research and the public. He added, “Such workshops train the SMCC with the necessary tools and strategies to disseminate complex S&T information in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner through radio programs”.

The workshop provided SMCC with a deep understanding of the power of audio and the nuances of spoken language. Such knowledge and experiences will definitely empower the participants to craft targeted communication strategies that resonate with specific audiences, ultimately fostering greater public engagement with science.

Dr Manish Mohan Gore, Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, and Principal Investigator, SMCC, presented a brief outline of the objectives, work strategy and a few concrete outcomes of SMCC. He mentioned the purpose of the orientation workshop. Shri Kuldeep Dhatwalia, Project Manager, SMCC; project staff members of SMCC, as well as PhD students, actively participated in the workshop and learnt a lot from the expert.

Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) is a new initiative of CSIR-NIScPR to disseminate R&D breakthroughs of Indian labs to society through various platforms of mass media.