Early-career researchers, Ph.D. holders, and doctoral scholars are well aware of the importance of communication in research. With all the immense hard work and time invested in the research process, the findings must be effectively communicated and disseminated to make a meaningful impact. The benefits of communicating research are substantial for researchers and Ph.D. students, as it helps them gain citations, enhance their academic profiles, and ultimately advance in their research careers.
However, successfully communicating academic and non-academic aspects in research involves understanding the various factors and potential of each context and setting. It also requires tailoring the research message to specific audiences, taking into account their background, awareness, and potential expectations. At the same time, early-career researchers and Ph.D. students should also develop the habit of assessing the feedback they receive to continuously improve the various ways in which they communicate their research. In this article, we will examine two key ways in which research can be transmitted efficiently.
Forms of Communicating Research
Effective research communication can take two primary forms: academic and non-academic dissemination. The distinguishing characteristic of these dissemination forms is the intended audience. As doctoral students and early-career researchers, you need to know the audience to whom you are aiming to present your research. It may be the academic community, or you may be interested in communicating your research to a non-academic community or in engaging non-academic stakeholders. In today’s world, it is increasingly valuable to utilize both academic and non-academic forms of communication.
Academic dissemination of research can be achieved through various channels, including:
- Journal articles
- Seminar or conference presentations
- Workshops
- Lectures
- Books
Non-academic dissemination can occur through multiple channels, including:
- Policy briefs
- Op-eds
- Social media
- Blogs, posts, videos, infographics
- Knowledge exchange events
- Newsletters
- Public lectures
- Podcasts
The Key Differences: Academic vs Non-Academic Communication
Academic Communication
Communicating research findings through academic forms is integral to the research process. This is a significant way in which researchers share discoveries and ideas with the larger research and scientific community.
Peer-reviewed journals, for example, enable you to make your research findings known to scholars and experts in your primary as well as related disciplines while also, in the process, enhancing your academic profile and reputation. Similar is the case of communicating through books.
There are other formal academic mechanisms for communicating research. Conferences, seminars, and workshops provide specific platforms for presenting research findings to experts within their field or related fields and receiving informed feedback before publication in a journal or book.
Non-Academic Communication
Non-academic ways of communicating research are also gaining ground. Social media, blogs, posts, and podcasts can be helpful in ways, particularly in amplifying the research. Its effects are more widespread, reaching out to a variety of audiences quickly and effectively. Here, it is essential to tailor the language to suit the target audience by using clear, jargon-free language that is easily understood by a general audience.
Traditional media engagement is another channel of non-academic communication, including:
- Press releases
- Interviews
- Outreach materials on the topic
- Sharing research summaries with journalists and publication houses
Policy communication involves bringing out attractive policy briefings that are concise and engagingly narrate the matter. These can be tailored again to specific audiences, conveying the importance, challenges, and impact of the work undertaken. Another effective non-academic way of communicating research is to target key policymakers and decision-makers. This can be done through emails, phone calls, or through events such as conferences or seminars.
Building the Right Skills
Academic and non-academic ways of communication require different skill sets and techniques. Universities are currently making efforts to equip doctoral students to communicate their research effectively to both academic and non-academic audiences. Initiatives like these should be introduced at a broader level to formally inform and educate postgraduate students and early-career researchers about the essential aspects of both academic and non-academic ways of communicating research.
Editage All Access is a subscription-based platform that unifies the best AI tools and services designed to speed up, simplify, and streamline every step of a researcher’s journey. The Editage All Access Pack is a one-of-a-kind subscription that unlocks full access to an AI writing assistant, literature recommender, journal finder, scientific illustration tool, and exclusive discounts on professional publication services from Editage.
Based on 22+ years of experience in academia, Editage All Access empowers researchers to put their best research forward and move closer to success. Explore our top AI Tools pack, AI Tools + Publication Services pack, or Build Your Own Plan. Find everything a researcher needs to succeed, all in one place – Get All Access now starting at just $14 a month!
