Abstract
Today’s researchers are expected to communicate widely about their research. The engaged researcher embraces opportunities to connect with a broad range of audiences that includes government, industry, community organizations, and the general public. Effective communications can help researchers to share expertise, build awareness of their work, and achieve greater impact. Communicating about your research is a way to inform public discussion, influence decision-makers, and become a thought leader. Moreover, you can directly reach people who will benefit from your work. Strong research communications can make you a go-to authority for media and lead to new collaborators, students, funders, and study participants. The challenge is for you to know how and when to reach out. Some researchers may be reluctant to engage in communications when their research is in its early stages or if their research is highly complex. The truth is that there is always some element of your research that you can communicate. It’s not enough to wait for a call from a journalist or from the communications specialist at your institution. In this fast-moving digital age, it’s particularly important to be proactive; otherwise opportunities will be lost to you. This chapter contains some key ideas that will help you to communicate effectively about your work
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Polanyi, M., Simeonov, D., Johnson, E. (2021). Effective Communications. In: Sixsmith, A., Sixsmith, J., Mihailidis, A., Fang, M.L. (eds) Knowledge, Innovation, and Impact: A Guide for the Engaged Health Researcher. International Perspectives on Social Policy, Administration, and Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34390-3_35
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34390-3_35
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