Further information
- We have now opened the wait list for Imperial participants. If you do not make it onto the 2025 programme, you will be given first refusal for next year's programme.
Eligibility: This training programme is free and open to Black and Minority Ethnic researchers, academics, technical staff and PhD students from Imperial or the Crick.
Please note: The 2025 IAOMA is being run in partnership with the Francis Crick Institute with sessions taking place in-person on the following dates. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
- The Media and Podcasts: 31 March, 10.30-16.00, Imperial
- Social Media: 28 April, 10.30-16.00, Imperial
- Public Engagement: 8 May, 10.30-16.00, Crick
- Powerful Words*: 14 May, 10.00-12.00, Online
- Policy and Public Affairs: 14 May, 13.30-18.30, Imperial
*The date for the Powerful Words session has changed from 7 April to 14 May.
- Networking and celebration event: 14 May, 16.30-18.30, Imperial
See further session details below.
Organising committee:
- Dr Wayne Mitchell
- Maxine Myers
- Al McCartney
- Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye
- Ellie Cawthera, Project Manager
Questions? Don't hesitate to get in touch.
The Imperial As One Media Academy (IAOMA) delivers expert communications training for minority ethnic researchers, academics, technical staff and PhD students who are underrepresented in the media and wider public sphere.
The IAOMA offers skills development in a range of communications areas such as writing opinion pieces and blogs, media training, public engagement and influencing policy. Participants also learn practical skills in podcasting, video and using social media to engage with wider audience.
The award-winning programme is a collaboration between Imperial's race equality network, Imperial As One, and the Communications Division. It is funded by Research England’s ‘Enhancing Research Culture’ award and is comprised of five sessions, short reflection exercises and a communications task. All sessions should be attended to graduate from the programme, which is marked with a celebration and networking event.
Over 100 people have graduated from the IAOMA, resulting in a thriving alumni community that offers peer support beyond the programme.
Check out testimonials from previous participants.
Tackling under-representation in STEM communication
Effective communications support various institutional objectives, from fundraising and student recruitment to influencing policy and expanding research impact. But the voices that represent universities in the public sphere are overwhelmingly white. This, coupled with the fact that Black academic staff make up only 1 per cent of professors in the UK, perpetuates the false perception that Black and minority ethnic researchers make little or no contribution to scientific discovery and research.
We presented a poster about the Imperial As One Media Academy at the AdvanceHE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2024, sharing our work in this area to tackle this issue. See our poster [D1P6] Tackling under-representation in STEM communication: Where are the experts that look like me? (PDF).
The IAOMA team also wrote a piece for Times Higher Education on how Black and minority ethnic researchers can build their profiles. The IAOMA was shortlisted for the 2024 THE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Session details
The 2025 IAOMA will be delivered in partnership with the Francis Crick Institute with some sessions taking place there as well as on Imperial's campuses.
Column Block 1-3
Media training for engaging with journalists
Date: 31 March, 10.30-14.00
Venue: Imperial, South Kensington
Build confidence and skills to become a key media player/communicator. This session will cover media work and will include practical sessions and interview practice.
In this session you will learn about:
- How the media operates
- Practical tips for talking to the media and journalist interviews
- Communicating your key messages
- Handling sensitive questions
- Keeping interviews on track (e.g., talk about my research, not race)
Trainer(s): Elizabeth Bananuka is the founder of BME PR Pros & Blueprinted.
The power of podcasts
Date: 31 March, 14.45-16.00
Venue: Imperial, South Kensington
Whether you are interested in appearing on podcasts or have had an idea for starting one yourself, they are an excellent way to reach a dedicated audience and demonstrate your expertise.
In this session you will learn:
- The benefits of appearing on and creating podcasts
- How podcasts are put together
- Key considerations when starting a podcast
- Interview techniques
Trainer(s): Imriel Morgan is the founder and CEO of Content is Queen and the host of the award-winning Wanna Be Podcast.
Social Media and Video
Date: 28 April, 10.30-16.00
Venue: Imperial, South Kensington
Learn how to get the most out of social media to share your research: from which platforms to choose and cutting through the noise to positioning yourself as an expert and staying safe online.
In this session you will learn about:
- What is social media?
- The platforms and what they are for
- Managing the information overload
- Trolls and other undesirables
- How to create compelling video content with just your smartphone
Trainer(s): Experts from the Social Media and Video team at Imperial and the Crick
Col 4-6
Public Engagement
Date: 8 May, 10.30-16.00
Venue: The Francis Crick Institute
Discover the power of exchanging ideas, insights and skills with wider public audiences. From engaging families at science festivals to having conversations about your research at the local cafe.
In this session you will learn:
- What public engagement is and its benefits
- Key principles for high-quality public engagement
- How to plan an engagement project
- Practical tips for presenting and talking about your research
Trainer(s): Charlotte Coales and Kat Nilsson
Powerful Words
Date: 14 May, 10.00-12.30
Venue: Online
Gain skills in crafting powerful words to carry your messages to a wide range of audiences. Learn how to translate your science into news articles, blog posts and editorials/opinion pieces.
In this session you will learn:
How to write good copy
The different types of writing formats
What journalists and editors look for in commentaries and opinion pieces
You will also be set practical tasks and get feedback from the trainer.
Trainer(s): An Emmy award winning journalist who has worked with CNN and Thomas Reuters
Public affairs and policy
Date: 14 May, 13.30-16.30
Venue: Imperial College London
Imperial's Policy Forum training session aims to demystify government and Parliament by explaining how to engage successfully with policymakers.
During the session, you will:
- Gain an improved understanding of the governmental landscape and key players.
- Hear about the policymaking process.
- Learn practical tips for engaging with Parliament and the Civil Service.
Trainer(s): The Imperial Policy Forum team
Networking and celebration event: 14 May, 16.30-18.30, Imperial College London
After the final session, there will be a drinks reception celebrating your completion of the Imperial As One Media Academy. Previous participants, trainers, and other communications professionals will be in attendance and so it is a fantastic opportunity to network and create contacts to help in your future endeavours beyond the programme.
Cancellations: Those enrolling on IAOMA are expected to attend all the sessions of the programme and complete all reflection exercises. If you cannot attend any session of the programme, you must email e.cawthera@imperial.ac.uk as soon as possible. Please aim to give us at least five working days’ notice if you are unable to attend a session. We reserve the right to remove no-shows from the programme.