Eight more media training sessions have been scheduled in Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Mackay, Gladstone following the success of November’s workshop for researchers in Rockhampton.

These sessions are scheduled primarily for the Faculty of Business & Law staff and research students. (Some spaces may be allocated to other staff if there is room.) Please note that the Faculty of Informatics & Communications and the University’s PR Department will work to conduct more media-training sessions for other Faculties, Schools and Campuses upon request and by appointment.

“It was stimulating. We could apply what the instructors said right away and received positive and supportive feedback,” said Dr. Kathy Egea, a senior lecturer with the School of Computing and Information Systems who was among 5 participants.

The three-hour Media Awareness Workshops are custom-designed to specifically help staff, especially researchers, communicate their ideas to the wider community. It covers interview techniques, how to determine main messages, and how to prepare for a media onslaught.

“It’s important for anyone to simplify and clarify their message into four or five easy-to-understand elements,” explained InfoComm’s Kate Ames, who conducted the training session with Phil Roberston and Mike Donahue. Kate, a lecturer with the Faculty, is also a PR officer with the Australian Defence Force.

Participants in upcoming workshops (see schedule below) will be briefed on the methods and deadlines of newspaper, magazine, radio and television productions. Lecturer Phil Robertson will videotape mock interviews with participants, which be critiqued by the panel.

Part of CQU’s Strategic Plan is to improve the dissemination of information about our academic and research programs and further develop the research reputation and contribution to the communities we serve and inform. There are professionals at CQU who can assist colleagues in preparing their messages.

Please contact Lee-Anne Murray, Faculty of Business and Law, (Tel: 49 309908) to express your interest in participating in the workshops, listed below, at any campus location. Alternatively, contact the Public Relations Department at 4923 2505 or your local Community Relations Officer.

The Media Awareness Workshops are to be held:.

Monday 10th February; Gladstone campus; 9am to 12 noon OR 130pm to 430pm.

Tuesday 11th February; Bundaberg campus; 130pm to 430pm.

Wednesday 12th February; Bundaberg campus; 9am to 12noon.

Thursday 13th February; Rockhampton campus; 9am to 12noon OR 130pm to 430pm.

Monday 24th February; Mackay campus (Tentative); 130pm to 430pm.

Tuesday 25th February: Mackay Campus (Tentative); 9am to 12noon.

6 participants per session is an optimal number, so book your time now.