Communicating research
Communicating the results of your research to the public is an important part of the knowledge creation process. News stories about your research demonstrate the societal value of your work, help attract other researchers and top students to UVic, and show that the public’s tax dollars are being well-spent.
Stories in the news media also tell elected representatives, granting agency officials, and potential partners and funders what you’ve done with current research funding and what you could accomplish with more.
Is your research “newsworthy”?
- Does the research have clear and significant public interest potential?
- Can the research be easily explained to a lay audience?
- Is the research complete or sufficiently advanced enough that you can discuss some results and conclusions?
- Are there good visuals?
- Are you willing and available to be the spokesperson?
Tips for successful print media interviews
- Know your medium—print or online? Each has different needs and interests.
- Know your market—is the publication local, national or international? What section will the story be in?
- Know what you want to say—have a few key points to make and keep coming back to them.
- Keep your answers concise and simple. Avoid academic language or complex scientific terms. Use explanations that lay people will understand.
- Know your limits—if you aren’t comfortable answering a question, don’t. Swing the conversation back to your key points.
Source: Stephanie Coombs, former City Editor, Victoria Times Colonist
Tips for successful broadcast media interviews
- For TV, what visual best explains and illustrates your research?
- What is the goal of your research and how it will be useful?
- Are there people involved with your research who are willing to go on camera?
- What everyday examples can explain the goal or impact of your research? For example, project X could save $2 million in health care costs.
- Is your research local or part of a larger effort?
Source: Erick Thompson, Reporter/Anchor, A News Victoria
More tips and resources
- More pointers from the Science Media Centre of Canada
- AAAS Communicating Science: tools for scientists and engineers
UVic Communications can help
For advice and assistance with communicating your research, contact UVic Communications at 250-721-7636 or email uvicnews@uvic.ca.
Are you a faculty member or graduate student who has recently published, or is about to publish, in a major peer-reviewed journal?
Does the research have significant public interest potential?
Please let us know. We can help spread the word.
View other UVic Research publications.
Would you like to share your research knowledge with local audiences?
Through the UVic Speakers Bureau, faculty and graduate students, along with staff and retirees, share their expertise and enthusiasm with community groups, schools, clubs and other organizations on southern Vancouver Island.
Help other researchers, potential funders and partners, and the news media find you.
The UVic Expertise Database is a public, searchable catalogue of full-time faculty members at the university.
Each entry includes a description of the person’s research interests, community interests, international involvements and contact information.