This workshop focussed on how to reframe and communicate the research project to lay audience (public and/or media). We were fortunate to have the Deputy Editor of “The Conversation” , an independent, not-for-profit media outlet that uses content sourced from the academic and research community.
Date: Thursday 29th September 2016
Time: 3pm – 5pm
Location: Room 7.84, Caulfield Campus
In the session, it was evident that having a good pitch is key to attract the attention of a lay audience. Some key points to consider included:
- What is the relevance to the public?
- What is the benefit?
- not just what it is but what it does?
- why is it important now? not in 10 years?
- Where does it sit in the big picture?
- How would you imagine someone describing the story to a friend.
- If you have one or two sentences to describe your story to your friend, what would that be?
After the seminar, one of the other key take-home message was to have research profiles. This also reminds me of a famous saying that: “Research is important, but sometimes, promotion is as important as your work, if not more.”
Research profile is a quick way for people to find you and open opportunity for collaboration. With the development of internet, search engines could index you with several key words and makes you more easily accessible.
For our PhD students (or academics), I think its a must-have to have a Google Scholar profile which details all your publications (i.e. your most successful work). There are also other profile systems to brand and market yourself. Here are some that I have been using:
