Here is a scenario many researchers dread: you’ve just explained your research to someone and you’re met with a blank stare followed by “Interesting… but what does that mean?” That moment highlights one of the biggest challenges facing academics today—learning how to explain your research in a way that resonates with your audience. And after years of helping scholars communicate their work more effectively, I’ve found the gap between confusion and genuine interest isn’t about publishing more research—it’s about communicating significance in ways that connect with the audience.
I experienced this firsthand in my own research in sport administration. My research focused on professional sports stadium development—examining cases like the San Diego Chargers’ failed stadium push and the Raiders’ dramatic relocation to Las Vegas. I remember feeling completely lost during a conference presentation on sports marketing, unable to follow research that was in my field. If this work was going over my head, how would practitioners ever be able to consider its potential applications? That moment taught me something crucial: research will remain inaccessible if you can’t communicate its significance.
Here are some practical techniques I’ve developed to help you learn how to explain your research:
Start with the Problem, Not the Solution
Instead of diving into methodology or findings, try flipping your approach entirely. Most researchers lead with the “how” or the “what”—but your audience needs to understand the “why” first to connect.
- Open with the problem: “Did you know that 70% of antibiotics stop working within a decade of their introduction? My research tackles this growing crisis by…” This shows stakes and urgency.
- Get specific about who the research affects: Rather than saying “We’re studying antimicrobial resistance,” try “When a child gets an ear infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotics, that’s the exact problem my research addresses.” People connect with concrete scenarios that they may lived.
- Put numbers in context: Instead of “This is a widespread problem,” say “This issue affects 2 million Americans annually—that’s roughly the population of Houston.” Numbers alone can feel abstract but within context, numbers can be very powerful.
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Connect to the Human Condition
Even the most niche research touches on things people care about. Actively seek out those broader connections that make people lean in, but don’t force it.
- Health and wellbeing: “While this might seem like a technical issue, it ultimately helps prevent complications during pregnancy.” Everyone understands protecting health, even if they don’t understand your specific research approach.
- Economic impact: “This approach could reduce production costs by 15%, potentially making these life-saving devices accessible to millions more people.” Money and access resonate across all audiences.
- Environmental sustainability: “Beyond the immediate applications, this work contributes to reducing industrial waste by utilizing these byproducts.” Environmental issues, albeit “controversial,” apply to everyone (with an opinion).
- Social justice: “The findings highlight disparities in access that disproportionately affect rural communities.” Fairness and equity matter to most people, regardless of their field.
The key is finding authentic connections between your work and these universal conditions. Don’t force connections that aren’t there. Learning how to explain your research through these broader lenses helps any audience understand why your work matters.
Related Post: How to Tell a Research Story: A Guide for Academics and Researchers
Learn How to Explain Your Research at the Micro and Macro Levels
One of my go-to techniques with scholars is coaching them to move fluidly between micro and macro levels. This includes shifting from the specific details of their work to its broader implications and back again.
- Start micro: Provide a specific, concrete example of your research in action
- Go macro: Connect that example to broader implications or systemic change
- Return to micro: Circle back with a tangible application or next step
For example: At the macro level, I researched urban planning and professional sport stadiums [macro]. But at the micro level, that meant I examined voter perceptions in San Diego, development processes in Las Vegas, and community impacts in Philadelphia [micro]. This approach helps people understand that while my big-picture focus is how stadiums reshape cities (and vice versa), the real insights come from studying specific cases and specific people affected by these changes [return to macro understanding].
This technique works because it gives people the concrete details they need to understand the work and the bigger picture that shows why it matters beyond your specific study.
One Research Project, Multiple Explanations
The same research means different things to different people. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all explanation, learn how to explain your research by adjusting your framing based on what your specific audience cares about.
- Start by asking, not assuming: Before diving into your explanation, ask “What’s your connection to [relevant topic]?” or “Have you dealt with [related issue] in your work?” Their answer tells you exactly how to frame your research.
- Develop audience-specific hooks: For my stadium research, I might say to:
- Urban planners: “This research shows you which neighborhoods will be most affected by stadium development before you finalize site selection.”
- City council members: “These findings help you predict voter responses to public funding proposals based on what’s happened in other cities.”
- Community advocates: “This work documents displacement patterns that can strengthen your arguments for affordable housing protections.”
- Match their language and priorities: If someone mentions budget constraints, lead with cost implications. Start with the human stories if they’re worried about community impact. Emphasize governance and decision-making insights if they’re focused on policy.
The key is listening first, then explaining your research by connecting it to what they’re already thinking about.
Find an Entry Point
The key to getting someone interested in your research is finding something you both connect to. That means showing interest in them first.
- Ask about their experience: “Have you ever dealt with [related issue]?” or “What’s been your experience with [relevant topic]?” Their answers give you the perfect entry point for your explanation.
- Listen for what matters to them: If someone mentions being frustrated with their commute, that’s your opening to connect transportation research. If they talk about their kids’ school, that’s how you bridge to education studies.
- Connect to current events they’re already thinking about: “You know how there’s been concern about AI-generated misinformation? My research addresses a key aspect of this by…”
- Start with shared experiences: “You know when you pick up your phone to check the time or send a quick text, but somehow end up scrolling social media for 20 minutes? My research investigates the design features that make this happen to all of us…” Everyone can relate to this experience, so they’re immediately interested.
- Use analogies from their world: For my stadium research, I might say to a homeowner, “You know how a new shopping center can change property values in a neighborhood? Stadium development works similarly, but the impacts are much more complex…”
The goal is finding that connection point that makes someone think, “Oh, I see why this matters to me”—then they’re ready to hear the rest.
Related Post: Want Better Research Impact? Stop Thinking About “The General Public”
How to Explain Your Research
The ability to effectively explain your research isn’t just a nice skill to have. Communicating your research is essential for securing funding, building collaborations, and ensuring your work makes an impact. By implementing these practical techniques, you can shift those blank stares into genuine interest and appreciation for your work.
And the best way to learn how to explain your research? Practice, practice, practice. Write a short script. Talk with your partner/family members. Run a practice session with your colleagues. The more you speak it out, the easier it will become.
Next Steps
Want to learn more techniques on how to explain your research?
Schedule a free 30-minute strategy session to discuss your specific research and communication goals. We’ll explore communication tactics and techniques tailored to your work and identify immediate opportunities to implement them.
Book a discovery call if you’re ready to develop a comprehensive research communication plan that leverages these techniques alongside other strategies.
