ABSTRACT
Universities are constantly challenged to deliver a high-quality academic experience that provides students with the opportunity to develop a diverse range of knowledge and skills. For degrees aligned to the professions, there is also the need to address the standards articulated by the professional bodies accrediting the award.
Drawing upon two case studies it addresses the challenges and benefits of Scicomm for undergraduate students studying biomedical science. The students were required to design and deliver activities to raise awareness for school students and the public of the essential role of biomedical scientists within the health care setting. Students wrote a reflective review of their experience and focus groups were also conducted after each Scicomm event. Reflective reports and focus group transcripts were analysed regarding content using a standard coding process. Analysis of the codes allowed the identification of key themes within the data.
For the students, involvement in the Scicomm activities moved beyond just supporting the development of subject knowledge and addressing defined standards. It inspired them to become more involved in their studies and the wider university community, provided a sense of professional identity and reignited a passion for science.
