Communication Credentials

Chris leads on "communication" projects and has been developing communication skills through “on the job” experience, training and formal education since 1993. Effective communication has been a central feature of Tamsin's career.

Education (Chris)
2004-06 University of the West of England: MSc Science Communication (part time), Distinction.
Dissertation: “An evaluation of SCIENCESNAPS” for The BA, Aberdeen branch.

Formal Training
Interviewing Techniques (Chris - SNH, 2003)
Facilitation Skills (Chris - Industrial Society, 2000; Tamsin - The Environment Council, 2006 and 2008)
Interpretive Master Planning (Chris - John Veverka, 1998, Sam Ham, 1999; Tamsin - John Veverka, 2003)

Practical Experience (Consultancy)
Yummy Science: the third installment of Science Snaps, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with the Rowett Institute. This time we recorded a series of experiments that were broadcast on Northsound1 radio during National Science and Engineering Week 2008.

Countryside Council for Wales: developing a funding bid for the restoration of the Afon Teifi river in mid Wales.

Cairngorms National Park Authority: developing technical guidance for directional signposts and intermediate waymarking within the National Park.

Scottish Natural Heritage:  wrote the site descriptions for 56 National Nature Reserves in Scotland for use on the National Nature Reserve website (due to be loaded soon) and a brochure for the Cairngorms suite of NNRs.

The University of the West of England: researched and wrote materials for a Climate Change activity for schools. The materials produced have been incorporated into a conference-based package used by the British Council across the world to highlight the issues relating to Climate Change causes and impacts.

ScienceSnaps II: an innovative science communication initiative funded through the Scottish Executive's Science in Society scheme, delivered in partnership with The Rowett Insititute. This project developed a series of web-based “podcasts” for National Science and Engineering Week 2007.

3Dee Vision Project: provided project coordination, during the final seven months of the project. This was a multi-agency partnership project that investigated ways of implementing the European Water Framework Directive.

Paths for All Partnership: wrote the Community Resource Directory. This online resource forms part of the new website that was launched in Autumn 2006.

Practical Experience (Employment) [see some examples]

River Basin Planning Coordinator, SEPA, Aberdeen
Tamsin has coordinated the North-East Scotland, Orkney and Sheltand Area Advisory Groups during the development of the River Basin Plan for Scotland. As part of this process she has developed a wide range of presentations and written materials to translate techincal information to stakeholders and produced the communication plan for the national process.

Communications and Outreach Officer, The Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen.
Chris developed a Communication and Outreach Strategy to proactively engage with “end-users” and facilitate Knowledge Transfer activities. He was responsible for translation of scientific outputs of the Institute's research programme to external audiences, including politicians, public bodies, NGOs, land managers and the wider public (including schools). He managed PR activities for the institute and project managed a fundamental redevelopment of the corporate website.

Project Manager, The Ythan Project Ellon
Tamsin ran the highly successful EU LIFE project, which included extensive communication and participatory processes with local communities, funding partners and other stakeholders. She also ran themed events and educational activities as part of the project and developed on-site interpretation. An essential part of this work was writing accessible reports and updates, as well as making presentations about the project to a wide variety of audiences.

Management Planner, The National Trust for Scotland, Inverness.
Chris researched and wrote estate management plans for two West Highland estates owned by the Trust (Balmacara and Torridon). Included devising and running public participation process.

Field Studies Specialist, North Ayrshire Council, Lamlash, Isle of Arran .
Chris devised, wrote and recorded video based support materials for Higher Still Geography: “The Hydrosphere” and “The Biosphere” (Temporary contracts).

Ranger/Naturalist, The National Trust for Scotland, Inverewe Garden, Poolewe, Ross-shire.
Chris led daily guided walks to the general public, visited local primary schools to provide environmental education, ran a “Young Naturalists” club for local children, and produced interpretive materials for displays and special events (Seasonal contracts).

Field Studies Researcher, PGL Study Europe, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
Chris was responsible for the implementation of a project to expand the field study programme for PGL Study Europe in the UK, Switzerland and France, including writing new course materials.

Field Tutor and Course Co-ordinator, Loch Ranza Field Studies Centre, Isle of Arran.
Chris taught field techniques to students aged 10 to 18, up to A level standard, in the subjects of Geology, Geography & Marine Ecology.