Are you a scientist? Do you find it challenging to communicate your message beyond the narrow pool of peers that work on the same topic as you do? If so, then this course is for you.
General information
The world has now been discovering – or shall we say, rediscovering -- the power of storytelling. Regardless of your purpose, role or position, it´s been proven that the most effective way to impact with your message, to make a point, convince a sceptic, or encourage others is by telling an authentic and compelling story. If you feel ready to finally find out what is behind a story and gather the necessary skills to use stories as the most powerful motivator there ever was and the management tool of the 21st century, then this workshop in Évora is definitely for you.
Class size
15 to 20 participants. Group sizes are purposely limited so that you will receive the personal attention and instant feedback only possible in this type of small group setting.
Dates
24th to the 26th of February 2016
Registration and Price
Send one PDF file including an explanation how the course will benefit your research and/or work, and a short CV to scienceretreats@gmail.com. Applications must be received no later than the 11th of December 2015. Although the main target of the course are postgraduate students doing their MSc or PhD degrees, we encourage applications from candidates who have already completed their PhD. Applications will be evaluated based on the relevance of the course to candidate's work. Successful candidates will be informed before the 18th of December 2015. The course fee is €600 to be paid by the 15th of January, ideally by bank transfer. The fee covers the lectures, the course material, and snacks over the coffee break.
Cancelation policy
If you wish to cancel your participation in this course, cancellations up to 20 days before the course start date will incur a 30% cancellation fee. For later cancellations, or non-attendance, the full course fee will be charged. In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, accepted candidates will either be entitled to a full refund of the course fee, or the fee can be credited toward a future course. The organisation is not responsible for travel costs, or any other expenses incurred by the candidate as a result of such cancellation. Every effort will be made to avoid the cancellation of the planned course.
Funding
Unfortunately we do not provide internal grants for this course.
Hands-on, personalised training
McSill Storytelling workshops are interactive, hands-on, especially designed to introduce the participants to this powerful tool. As far as possible, the groups are personalised to meet your individual needs. Should you wish, at the end of the first and second day, you may request one-on-one chats with James to discuss your individual projects.
Languages used
The instruction will be in English, questions may be asked in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French or Italian. Individual conversations can be held in English, Portuguese or Spanish.
Certification
(To be arranged)
Who is James McSill?
James is a multi-lingual, Anglo-Brazilian book and story doctor/ lecturer/ mentor/ coach for English, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking writers; a specialist in novel structuring and creative use of language, acclaimed by an ever-growing number of authors as the 'bridge" between the Latin and Anglo-Saxon literary worlds. He is entertaining, thought-provoking, and is recognized by top professionals in the industry as a leader in pioneering exciting changes in author training and publishing.
James is respected by aspiring and professional writers alike in Brazil, Portugal and many Spanish speaking countries, and the "McSill Magic" is known for taking the work of his authors to higher levels in literary worth and in sales -- by giving them a truly unique perspective on their work, not only from a creative standpoint, but also from James' broad-based experience: as a master in Linguistics, Business and Materials Design. To the benefit of all, he has never flinched from weaving all his fields of knowledge into his private consultations and public talks and courses.
His tremendous success has attracted authors to his online consultation sessions and nowadays James McSill owes one of the fastest-growing literary consultancies companies in the world (www.mcsill.com), he alone is responsible for assisting hundreds of authors a year create and write their stories, and with his team also edits or acts as story consultant for upwards of two hundred books a year and organizes a myriad of workshops and training courses all over the Latin World. James has also been particularly engaged in guiding his many authors on the marketability of their projects for foreign markets. Not a stranger to technology, he has used the very latest innovations from conference calls to delivering training courses in 3D from his studio in the UK to remote locations across the world to live online webspaces to assist aspiring writers, as well as some of the best-selling Brazilian and Portuguese writers (www.book-in-a-box.com). In the words of the participants, working with James was not only a professional, but also a life changing experience. Unknown to many, James was a child actor and a playwright and enjoys dabbling with writing of his own. James McSill is based in his studio in Yorkshire, UK (www.storytelling.mcsill.com) and in his office in São Paulo, Brazil (www.agency.mcsill.com).