3 Practical Ways Academic Societies Can Elevate Field Research
Academic societies are in a unique position. Academic societies and disciplines are the connective tissue for a research field, connecting individual researchers, institutions, and the broader world. The primary role of an academic societies is to organize conferences and publish journals, amongst other things. These learned societies range all across the board, varying from generic […]
How to Explain Your Research: From Blank Stares to “That’s Amazing!”
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 […]
A New Era of Community Engagement in Higher Education
Town and gown. The Ivory Tower. These are just a few well-known descriptors for universities and their relationship to “the community.” And who/what is the community? Well, in the simplest of terms, the community is everyone on the outside. Hence the Ivory Tower metaphor. So what does this mean for research and community engagement in […]
How to Share Research Findings: 5 Steps to Turn Goals into Action
Researchers often know they want to share their findings beyond academia, but figuring out how to share research findings effectively can feel overwhelming. Should you write policy briefs? Create implementation guides? Start a newsletter? Host workshops? The options seem endless, and many researchers find themselves stuck between having goals and taking action. Here are some […]
Want Better Research Impact? Stop Thinking About “The General Public”
I recently revisited a blog post I wrote in early 2023 on public scholarship and reflected on how much I’ve learned since then. Through deeper reading, conversations with science communications theorists, and my own practice, I’ve evolved in how I think about research communication. To start, I’ve shifted from exclusively using the term public scholarship […]
Setting Your 2025 Research Communication Goals (It’s Simpler Than You Think)
As another year draws to a close, many researchers are thinking about how to expand their research impact in the coming year. Perhaps you spent 2024 focused on publishing but are ready to engage more broadly with your work. Or maybe you experimented with social media updates but want to develop a more purposeful communication […]
How to Practice Reflexive Research Communication: A Practical Guide
Effective research communication requires more than just clear writing and presentation skills. It demands awareness of how our own backgrounds, assumptions, and positions influence how we share our work with others. This is where reflexive research communication becomes crucial. At its core, reflexive research communication asks us to examine how our personal experiences, disciplinary training, […]
8 Creative Content Ideas for Video-Based Research Communication on IG and TikTok
Staring at a blank screen, wondering how to share your research in a way that is interesting and engaging? You’re not alone. Research communication on Instagram and Tiktok is not necessarily something your grad school courses cover. Related Post: PhD Skills Gap: Why Your Doctorate Needs More Than Research Training for Today’s PhD Job Market […]
Communicating Research in Social Sciences & Humanities: Beyond Science Communication Training
During the PCST symposium in Zacatecas in early 2024, I found myself thinking about how researchers and scientists struggle with communicating research. How inaccessible the science communication research was. But I also realized how little attention was paid to social sciences and humanities scholars and research. While everyone agreed that science communication is crucial, especially […]
Unlocking Effective Science Communication: The Engagement Coaching Process
Have you ever sat in a communication training or online workshop and thought, “How am I ever supposed to do this?” You’re not alone. As a researcher, you know the importance of sharing your work, but translating that knowledge into effective science communication can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re struggling to find time for outreach, unsure […]
