Explaining Research

Explaining Research is the first comprehensive communications guidebook for scientists, engineers, and physicians. Drawing on knowledge gleaned from a forty-year career in research communications, Dennis Meredith maps out how scientists can utilize sophisticated tools and techniques to disseminate their discoveries to important audiences. He explains how to use websites, blogs, videos, webinars, old-fashioned lectures, news releases, and lay-level articles to reach key audiences, emphasizing along the way that a strong understanding of the audience in question will allow a more effective communication tailored to a unique background and set of needs. In addition to drawing on the experience of the author, the book also includes excerpts from interviews with 45 of the country's leading science communications experts, including academics, authors, journalists, and public information officers. As the "information age" places new demands on scientists, Explaining Research will be a valuable resource not only for current professional scientists, but also for students who are the voice of the science community's next generation. This authoritative guide shows how to: BL Develop a "strategy of synergy" that makes research communication efficient and effective BL Give compelling talks BL Build a professional Web site BL Create quality posters, photos, animations, videos, e-newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and Webinars BL Write popular articles and books BL Persuade donors, administrators and other key funding decision-makers BL Produce news releases that attract media coverage BL Give clear media interviews BL Serve as a public educator in schools and science centers Visit www.explainingresearch.com to learn more about the book and additional resources.

Auteur

Dennis Meredith's career as a science communicator has included service at some of the country's leading research universities, including MIT, Caltech, Cornell, Duke and the University of Wisconsin. He has worked with science journalists at all the nation's major newspapers, magazines, and radio and TV networks and has written thousands of news releases and magazine articles on science and engineering over his career.

Contenu

Foreword Introduction: Explaining Your Research is a Professional Necessity Section I: Learning a New Communications Paradigm Chapter 1: Understand Your Audiences Chapter 2: Plan Your Research Communication Strategy Section II: Effectively Reaching Your Peers Chapter 3: Give Compelling Talks Chapter 4: Develop Informative Visuals Chapter 5: Create Effective Poster Presentations Chapter 6: Write Clear Research Explanations Chapter 7: Build a Quality Web Site Section III: Engaging Lay Audiences Chapter 8: Forge Your Research Communications Strategy Chapter 9: The Essential News Release Chapter 10: Craft Releases That Tell Your Research Story Chapter 11: Target Releases to Key Audiences Chapter 12: Produce Effective Research Photography Chapter 13: Produce Informative Research Videos Chapter 14: Organize Dynamic Multimedia Presentations Chapter 15: Create E-Newsletters, Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts, Social Networks, and Webinars Chapter 16: Write Popular Articles, Op-Eds, and Essays Chapter 17: Author Popular Books Chapter 18: Become a Public Educator Chapter 19: Persuade Administrators, Donors, and Legislators Section IV: Explaining Your Research Through the Media Chapter 20: Parse Publicity's Pros and Cons Chapter 21: Understand Journalists Chapter 22: Meet Journalists' Needs Chapter 23: Prepare for Media Interviews Chapter 24: Make the Interview Work For You Chapter 25: Protect Yourself from Communication Traps Chapter 26: Manage Media Communications at Scientific Meetings Chapter 27: Should You Be a Public Scientist?