If you have some research that you’d like to share with the world, reach out to the Research School’s Manager of Communication (Dr Phil Dooley) and we can discuss the best plan to get your work out there.
In general journalists are after a good story and will be positive towards you (it will be very unlike current affairs programs hounding a politician). The best approach is to be positive and try to help find the most interesting and captivating parts of your work.
The more planning time you allow, the better the results. A month before publication is ideal, so communication can be synchronised with any publication – after publication by many is considered too late. We are experienced with operating with embargoed research.
The basis of the communication is likely to be a written piece, but images are vital for the online world. If it is an especially visual story, a video could be justified.
If there is something in the news that you feel qualified and inspired to comment about, then we support that, so act now! Contact the media office (below) who can help.
Our philosophy is that the content we produce is to be shared as widely as possible – other institutions, websites and so on are welcome to reproduce our content, under creative commons licence. Acknowledgement is not necessary.
We support diversity and try to showcase the full range of people from our community. Please encourage under-represented sectors to approach us!
There are three main channels for communication at the ANU:
The goal of this process is to produce material that you are happy with, and is also appropriate to your audience. This takes time, and some discussion at times over what is relevant, important, and accurate – you will need to engage in the process and provide feedback. Let us know if you will be travelling or unavailable for significant time in the upcoming period.
A video interview will take a similar time to the chat for a written piece, 45-60 minutes. Editing can take 1-4 weeks. A draft will be sent to you for commenting on. Final draft will be posted on ANU Physics YouTube, and Facebook. From YouTube it will be shared to the Physics news website with some accompanying text.
We can provide science communication training, or direct you to other providers (e.g. the media office, CPAS). Anything from interview practice, to conquering nerves, to developing a pitch.
Either individual training, or courses/seminars for your research group are all possible. Helping with writing or other content development is also possible if you would like to improve your skills in sci comm.
Thanks for being involved, and enjoy the process!
Dr Phil Dooley is a science writer, presenter, videomaker and trainer, who helps scientists get their research out to their audience in the most effective way. Phil has a PhD in laser physics and has worked for ANU Research School of Physics, in the ANU Media Office, at University of Sydney and for JET, the world’s largest fusion energy experiment.