"This handy booklet aims to empower the reader with 50 compact introductions to relevant topics, which aim to capture the essential mindset and diversity of working practice in contemporary science communication. It is aimed at researchers across all disciplines seeking further qualifications, entry
...
-level employees in science communication departments and anyone who wants to take their first steps in the field. These 50 essentials offer an introduction to the tumultuous world of science communication – from the pens of many proven experts who have formed the team of authors." (Editorial, page 7)
more
"A Comprehensive Guide to Science Communication includes practical tips and examples of how to best convey science in an engaging way, dos and don’ts when communicating research to the general public, insightful interviews with people involved in public engagement and science communication campaig
...
ns, and much more." (Introduction)
more
"How we communicate research is changing because of new (especially digital) possibilities. This article sets out 10 easy steps researchers can take to disseminate their work in novel and engaging ways, and hence increase the impact of their research on science and society." (Author summary)
"This guide grows out of the research project “Evidence-based Science Communication with Policymakers” conducted by the four authors and sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences and the Rita Allen Foundation. In order to write these recommendations, we spent over a year studying science com
...
munication with policymakers from several vantage points. We reviewed hundreds of scholarly works on the topic published in over a dozen fields as well as numerous practical guides written by scientific societies. We interviewed both Democratic and Republican Congressional policymakers, including 22 Members of Congress and 20 staff members." (Introduction, page 4)
more
"Los científicos, comunicadores y periodistas científicos necesitamos ampliar nuestros espacios de comunicación y explorar las nuevas posibilidades que nos ofrecen tecnologías como el video para compartir nuestro quehacer aprovechando las posibilidades que tenemos al alcance, como nuestro teléf
...
ono móvil o las cámaras fotográficas. La ventaja con el video es que puede funcionar por sí mismo o ser complementario para distintos medios, además de utilizar texto, fotografía, mapas o infografías —todas ellas, herramientas que utiliza el periodismo digital. Este es un manual breve, dedicado a científicos, comunicadores y periodistas de ciencia que desean iniciarse en este campo y aprovechar al máximo las oportunidades que ofrece para comunicar. Busca proporcionar los conocimientos técnicos y la metodología básica para comenzar a realizar un proyecto de video, con pocos conocimientos y un mínimo de recursos. Se trata de una guía que conduce al lector por el camino de la realización y producción de un video, llevándolo desde el planteamiento de una idea hasta la forma de hacer llegar el video al puìblico. Hay muchos, muchiìsimos libros de video, pero este manual tiene la información que se requiere para poner manos a la obra, sin conocimientos, casi sin recursos, pero sin que haya excusa que valga. Porque consideramos que la experiencia es el mejor maestro. Existen a nivel iberoamericano pocas ofertas de videos de comunicacioìn o periodismo científico, este es un campo lleno de posibilidades para explorar y proponer." (Presentación, página 7)
more
"This toolkit aims to help global mental health researchers communicate their findings to their stakeholders. The principles in this toolkit can be applied to all stakeholders, including policy-makers, and to key messages about your project’s implementation and policy influence activities. This to
...
olkit will help you to know: 1. How to package your key messages to make them remembered and acted upon by your stakeholders; 2. How to plan your communications methods and activities to achieve your project and policy objectives; 3. How to produce communications products, including impact statements, blogs, infographics and policy briefs, to communicate your key messages to your stakeholders." (Overview)
more
"Communicating research findings to potential users outside the academic community, whether in government, business, Third Sector or the general public, has, or at least should become, an essential element in most social scientists’ working lives. Engaging with the media enables you not just to re
...
ach ‘opinion formers’, the public and their academic peers, it is also the most effective way of: communicating research to potential users; raising your profile; getting involved in wider public debate; meeting the broader obligations of accountability that are incumbent on all publicly funded researchers. This publication provides some practical guidelines on how you can engage with the media in order to have a greater impact on the national debate. It will also provide you with information about: what makes a good news story; working effectively with journalist; writing press releases; giving TV and radio interviews; working with radio and TV documentary makers." (Introduction)
more
"In July 2013, 13 think tanks in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda embarked on a mission to strengthen their Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC) capacity. Over the course of 15 months, the think tanks worked with a mentor to diagnose their capacity needs and develop a PEC
...
workplan to strengthen their knowledge and capacity. Work included designing and refining communciation strategies, engaging peers and external stakeholders, and leveraging tools to sharpen their strategic messaging and outreach. Our hard work resulted in the creation of new tools, skillsets, and shared lessons and strategies. This toolkit is a collection of the knowledge generated over the course of our work. It is intended to help our 13 think tanks - and many others - continue excelling and improving in their PEC abilities. It contains guiding principles, tips and suggested approaches to help better plan, package, disseminate and evaluate PEC strategies." (Introduction)
more
"This handbook is designed to serve the needs of anyone who conducts, plans, or implements clinical trials—especially trials that evaluate new drugs or interventions in a community setting. We want to make your job easier, whether you are a researcher, a study coordinator, or a communications prof
...
essional. Objectives: provide practical guidance to clinical trial staff and research partners on how to anticipate and respond to the special communications challenges posed by the conduct of clinical research in resource-limited settings; share lessons learned from case studies of actual experiences running trials in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the United States and Europe; supply hard copy and electronic versions of diagnostic tools, sample templates, and model examples of communications plans and materials that sites can adapt for use in their communications planning and implementation." (Page 2)
more
"Dealing with uncertainty has been an important and distinct topic for PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (formerly MNP) and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), in terms of analysis and communication. Acting responsibly with regard to this issue is
...
important; particularly where policy analyses are concerned. Without adequate attention to the role and implications of uncertainty, the outcome of research and assessments may be of limited value and could result in incorrect policy decisions, with all the attendant consequences. However, the general public does not always appear in need of very detailed information in ‘documents full of subtle distinctions’. Consequently, information on uncertainty is not always considered relevant, understood, or even noticed. Thus, uncertainty remains an awkward issue and a challenge for the authors of policy reports. This Guide comprises hints and points of attention, as well as questions that researchers should try to answer when communicating about uncertainty (e.g. in written reports and presentations). It is not intended as a protocol; every situation is unique and demands its own approach. Thus, the Guide for Uncertainty Communication is intended to support the researcher/communicator in making well-considered choices. Communication on uncertainty regarding a particular study requires having a clear picture of why this communication is important and to whom it should be addressed. For this, the issues and concerns of the intended target audience(s) must be known, as well as all relevant uncertainties involved in the study and their possible effects on the results of the study. This involves serious reflection on certain topics, such as on where uncertainties originate, what significance and/or implications they have, if uncertainty may be reduced, on the context of the study, and on the manner in which uncertainty was dealt with in the study. The purpose of the study will strongly determine what uncertainty information would be relevant. For example, a study which primarily deals with the effects of policy measures will focus less on uncertainty about the severity of environmental problems than would be the case when a newly emerging environmental problem is explored. Addressing these questions, ideally, would provide a clear insight into all relevant aspects of uncertainty, which should be communicated effectively to the intended target audiences. This Guide is set up to support this process." (Preface, pages 4-5)
more
"‘Killer facts’ are those punchy, memorable, headline-grabbing statistics that make reports special. They cut through the technicalities to fire people up about changing the world. They are picked up and repeated endlessly by the media and politicians. They are known as ‘killer’ facts becaus
...
e if they are really effective, they ‘kill off’ the opposition’s arguments. The right killer fact can have more impact than the whole of a well-researched report."
more
"Good reporting of science in the media is vital in drawing the attention of both policymakers and the public to the important role that science and technology can play in achieving sustainable development, and press officers can contribute significantly to helping science journalists ensure that th
...
is happens. This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the techniques that press officers can use to create a close and supportive working relationship with the journalist community." (Foreword)
more
Focuses on three key written products: the policy brief, the research brief and the story of change.
"Community research projects are often initiated with action and change in mind. That is, the knowledge generated is intended to be used towards specific ends-- strengthening community programs, improving public policy, sharing vital information with community members. But the research is only usefu
...
l if it can be accessed and understood. Creating a research dissemination plan involves a collaborative effort between research partners to identify the best ways to share knowledge for the project’s particular purpose and target audience. Community Research Unit partners can use this document to develop a dissemination plan that ensures that their research is distributed to and understood by those who need it most." (Page 2)
more
"This workbook provides an overview of the main points contained in the book 'Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press', as well as practical exercises for applying the book’s concepts and communication principles to your unique situation. The
...
first three chapters review basic communication concepts, from analyzing your audience to building a storyline. Chapters 4 and 5 shift the focus from conceptual to practical by introducing guidelines for presenting data, as well as the Organize, Plan, Test, and Integrate (OPT-In) framework developed by the textbook’s authors to aid in planning and executing data-related communications. Chapters 6 and 7 focus on the application of concepts and the OPT-In framework to the real world in scenarios, such as crisis situations or advocacy. The ultimate goal of this workbook—and the book 'Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press'—is to help you select and communicate quantitative data in ways lay audiences can understand. You will gain the most from this workbook by reviewing its contents in concert with the book 'Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press', making note of the tips and guidelines it presents, and completing the practical exercises beginning in Chapter 3 to ensure your understanding of the concepts and ability to successfully apply them." (How to use this workbook)
more
"Many nonprofits spend considerable time and resources producing studies to advance their issues, only to have them gather dust on the shelf of some academic or government office. Why? Invariably, it’s because the report received little to no media coverage. The good news is, it doesn’t have to
...
be this way. This guide offers 10 tips for turning your report into a morning headline or a segment on the evening news. No matter what your issue is or what type of research you’re releasing — from scientific data to a public opinion survey — these tried and true tips can help you insert your hard work into the news cycle." (Introduction)
more
"A community research partnership is ideally part of a larger collaboration that includes the interests of each partner and spans a wide range of activities. Often a neglected afterthought in busy research schedules, the dissemination of key findings upon project completion is a crucial step in comm
...
unity-based research. In fact, we believe that researchers have an ethical obligation to ensure that research findings are disseminated to research participants, as well as other individuals and institutions in the communities in which we work. In an effort to increase ease and efficiency, this document provides key strategies for dissemination, including practical advice and specific templates you can adapt for your use. Through this strategic dissemination approach, CARE (Community Alliance for Research and Engagement) intends to distribute salient findings to affected communities, participant agencies, health departments, researchers, policy makers, and health advocacy groups." (Page 1)
more