Publicising Your Research through the Media
Trainer: Media Players International
Delivery: In person or online
Programme Description:
This one day (or two half days online) Media Workshop is for research students who want to publicise their work in the non-specialist media. Making the case for your research to the general public through the media has never been more important, and this course will give you invaluable lessons from two very experienced ex-BBC journalists, Tim Grout-Smith and Lily Poberezhska. The course, which we have given at 40 UK universities, will also help you to build skills that may be crucial to getting grants in the future. Even if you have no plans to talk to journalists, these highly transferrable skills will help you to deal with difficult questions at academic events, convert research findings to business applications and talk about your research to non-specialists.
You will learn what makes a good story in media terms, how to spot one in your own work, and how to handle the tensions between scientific/academic and journalistic methods.
Then we help you to prepare yourself for a media encounter: dealing with the initial enquiry from journalists, developing your messages, answering difficult questions with confidence and using effective interview techniques for press, online and broadcast media.
In the afternoon (or on Day 2 online) you will get a chance to practise two on-camera interviews on your research subject to try out techniques learned earlier, and receive individual feedback from us and your peers on your strengths and areas for improvement.
We keep the whole day interactive, with exercises and interview practice, and we strive to make it enjoyable as well as practical. We do not believe in learning by humiliation, and seek always to build confidence, not throw you in at the deep end.
Every exercise is tailored to your individual research interest. That’s why it is really important that we get a summary of your research in non-specialist language (template provided) at least a week before the session.
Learning Outcomes:
• Knowing how to identify newsworthy, 'media-friendly' elements in your research
• Knowing how to 'pitch' your research to the media
• Mastering techniques for taking control of the interview and for answering difficult or hostile questions
• Increased confidence in giving interviews to print, online and broadcast media