Communication

Indiana University offers a variety of programs, trainings, events, and resources to support faculty in developing their research communication skills.

Effective engagement with public audiences is crucial to attracting further funding, creating greater support for university work, and advancing awareness of the university’s strengths and accomplishments.

Resources at IU for improving skills

• Take advantage of the IUI and IU School of Medicine’s Communicating Science Program, inspired by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The IU program offers training for scientists and health professionals to communicate with the public, public officials, the media, and others outside their disciplines.
• Strengthen your writing through the Scholarly Writing Program at IU Bloomington.
• Access IU Center on Education and Lifelong Learning training in research communication for scientists, scholars, educators, and public health professionals to communicate about their work to non-experts in clear and engaging ways.
• Get broader impacts guidance and support from the Integrated Program in the Environment, which involves the College, School of Public Health, and SPEA, as well as other IU Bloomington units.

Get involved

• Learn more about IU Bloomington’s Masters program in scientific literacy and responsible research and IUI’s graduate minor in communicating science.
• Attend a session of Science Café Bloomington to hear colleagues deliver publicly accessible talks.
• Consider connecting with Concerned Scientists at IU Bloomington, a science advocacy group that includes a focus on engaging with the public to communicate science.
• Join the NPR Scicommers, an online community designed to create engaging stories about science for the public.
• Explore the Massive Science Consortium, an online training platform for scientists interested in writing for the public sector.

Get noticed

• If you have a groundbreaking publication coming out or a notable performance or exhibition to announce, notify your school or department’s communication staff, the IU news and media team, and/or the IU executive director for research communication. These professionals can help you decide the best way to share your achievement with appropriate audiences.
• Share your expertise as part of the IU Experts Database. The database provides information on IU faculty to the media and the public who are seeking experts related to breaking news, interesting trends, or novel research.

Prepare for a media interview

• If you are going to be interviewed by the media, consult these tips from the IU media relations team and contact an IU media specialist if you would like more assistance. Further media training is also available to help you prepare for interviews.
• Consult resources from the American Academy for the Advancement of Science on how to effectively work with journalists to get your point across.