Promote my research

News stories about your research:

demonstrate the societal value of your work
help attract other researchers and top students to UVic
show that the public’s tax dollars are being well-spent
tell elected representatives, granting agency officials, potential partners and funders what you’ve done with current research funding and what you could accomplish with more

Here are some guidelines on how to promote your research to the public.

Questions to consider

When it's time to promote your research, ask yourself these questions:

Does the research have clear and significant public interest potential?
Can the research be easily explained to a lay audience?
Is the research sufficiently advanced enough that you can discuss some observations or results?
Are there good visuals?
Are you willing and available to be the spokesperson?

Consider giving print/online or broadcast media interviews about your research.

Tips for print/online media interviews

know your medium—print or online
know your market—local, national or international
- what section will the story be in?
know what you want to say—have a few key points to make and keep coming back to them
keep your answers concise and simple—avoid academic language or complex scientific terms
- use explanations anyone will understand
know your limits—if you aren’t comfortable answering a question, don’t
- take the conversation back to your key points

Tips for broadcast media interviews

for TV, what visual best illustrates your research?
what is the goal of your research and how it will be useful?
are there people involved with your research who are willing to go on camera?
what everyday examples can explain the goal or impact of your research
- e.g., project X could save $2 million in health care costs
is your research local or part of a larger effort?

Another way to promote is to share your research knowledge with local audiences.

Through the UVic Speakers Bureau, faculty and graduate students, along with staff and retirees, share their expertise and enthusiasm with:

University Affairs magazine and Informed Opinions have teamed up to bring you a video series on to a wide audience
Science Media Centre of Canada

Contact UVic Communications + Marketing for help with communicating your research.