Communicating research knowledge to the public
Introduction
Communicating research knowledge to the public is part of a healthy environment for research and development and contributes to society's understanding, builds links with other sectors and improves credibility and acceptance for your discipline (Communicating Science to the Public: A Handbook for Researchers, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada).
The sixth generic quality involves communicating effectively as a
researcher in a discipline or professional area and as a leading member
of the community. Effective communication means that the higher degree
by research student should be able to disseminate research findings within the
broad research discipline, both orally and in
writing (see Research writing and
Research publication) as well as being able to translate the substance of
research findings to the public. For
this to be achieved the research student should participate in relevant
research-in-progress seminars
and professional conferences, whether they
are school or discipline based, national or international.
UniSA resources
On campus workshops
Research Education Support Activities (RESA) offers on campus workshops relevant to communicating research (Thesis writing in business, social sciences and humanities; Communicating research series for sciences and engineering) as part of the core series (all disciplines). Check the calendar for details of when these workshops are offered.
The News and Media Team (Marketing and Development Unit) offers a three hour workshop on media skills to a minimum of 6 people. Check with your research institute, centre or school and/or supervisor, or contact the Manager News and Media for more information.
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Online workshops, courses and resources
Networking index (RESA) provides links to online workshops, courses and resources. Networking in the research community online workshop looks at Communicating with the public. This section of the workshop looks at how to present your research in the public sphere.
For resources regarding presentation techniques see
Oral presentations.
Other resources
ATN LEAP Program is a resource for postgraduate research students (and their supervisors) at universities in the Australian Technology Network, which 'gives you the opportunity to improve your employment skills while you study'. Contact Graduate Studies Office for more information.
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Public Policy module covers:
- helping research students to better understand the world of public policy and its relationship to the world of research
- helping research students to better understand what are some of the factors governing the behaviour of the world of public policy through a case study of water
- helping research students to become more confident in dealing with that public policy world, whether that be in working within it, seeking to influence it, or trying to obtain something from it.
A guide to successful communications (PDF file, 560kb) - Research - Science and Society (European Commission) website - discusses communication strategies, media relations, using a website for communication, presentations, publications and other communication tools (2004).
Best practice in communicating research to the public, IFR Response to the Royal Society working group on best practice in communicating the results of new scientific research to the public. Prepared by Dr Nick Walton and Catherine Reynolds Institute of Food Research (26 September 2003).
Writing to a global audience by Gary J Erwin advises that a writer becomes familiar with the societal, cultural and belief systems of a target group before the distribution of communication materials. Some of this information may be useful for communicating your research to the public.
Using technology to communicate from Catalyst (UTS Library) is an online tutorial about using email, PowerPoint, webpages and other technology to network and communicate ideas.
Communications Toolkit (Economic and Social Research Council, UK) offers a Public Affairs module to help with the process of influencing policy makers, and a Publicity Material module to help disseminate key findings to target audiences. The Media Relations module may also be useful. Although UK specific, some information can be generally applied.