Competent, evidence-based and trustworthy communication about the climate, biodiversity and sustainability crisis, as well as about promising approaches to tackling what are arguably the greatest challenges of our time, is one of the core tasks of professional communication.
Journalists and communicators need to have a deep understanding of the natural science foundations of these crises and familiarise themselves with their wide-ranging social, economic and political interactions. In this course, they'll get to know alternative pathways towards a sustainable future and expand their communication skills with strategic as well as practical competencies. The goal: to develop and implement exceptional, well-targeted and effective communication solutions that can contribute to socio-ecological transformation.
A unique combination
This course is the first in the German-speaking world to offer the development of climate and sustainability competency at academic level for journalists and communicators. It's aimed at journalists from all departments and media, as well as communicators from NGOs, politics and public administration, the education sector, culture, civil society and business. All of them need to expand their portfolio today with competencies in the field of sustainability and climate communication, in order to meet the information needs of citizens, media users and market participants.
A capable network
The conception and delivery of the university of applied sciences course involves renowned institutes, networks and experts from Austria and Germany who have been researching and teaching on climate, sustainability and communication for years — including the Climate Change Centre Austria and the Institute for Communication and Media at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.
Up-to-date content, new formats
While the scientific foundations are taught to all participants together, the practical transfer is organised according to the different needs of journalists and communicators. The communication-specific teaching elements focus on the areas of strategic communication (content strategy), communication psychology, (visual) storytelling, and current challenges from various professional fields (sustainability reporting, greenwashing). The Climate Culture Lab also offers the opportunity to explore and try out more experimental communication solutions in exchange with artistic or activist perspectives.
Course structure
The course is organised over two semesters on a part-time, compact basis around 25 in-person days, which take place in Graz. In the second semester, an optional nature-based excursion/retreat is planned. The intensive in-person phases are complemented by online lecture nights as well as blocked and facilitated e-learning modules, particularly at the start of each semester.
All information about the course and how to apply can be found here or at: fh-joanneum.at
