PSA10 - Writing your research for the public

Learn how The Conversation works, the benefits of writing for the public and how to go about it.

About the session

The Conversation is a news website where articles are written by academics, based on their research. With a reach of more than 30million, it is an influential platform to communicate with a wider audience.

This session will be led by one of the Commissioning Editors who will outline what `The Conversation’ is; the writing process and the benefits and impacts of writing for `The Conversation’. Following the presentation there will be a Q&A session and attendees will have the opportunity to talk through any specific ideas they have.

Who is it for?

  • Early Career Researchers (including Postdocs)
  • Mid-Career Researchers
  • Managers of Researchers
  • Research-related Professional Services Staff (including research support administrators, researcher developers and career development professionals)
  • Other eg: stakeholders from industry, funding agencies, policy influencers, editors, etc.

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the process of writing for a research-based news website
  • Consider the news potential of their expertise, how to look for story hooks and angles from the news, how to write a quality story pitch to section editors, and other advice.

Get to know your facilitator

Michael Parker

Michael Parker, Membership Editor, The Conversation         

Part of the team that launched The Conversation in the UK in 2013, Michael has since been its environment + energy editor, technology editor, and is now membership editor and manages the membership and university relations. Prior to The Conversation he was for 10 years a news and features journalist covering everything from crime to culture for British newspapers and magazines, latterly Associate Editor at The Big Issue in London.

Session video and presentation

Download the presentation (PDF, 3.6MB)

All NPDC21 listed resources including presentation slides and top tips are freely available. Please ensure you acknowledge the author(s) and/or source when using them.

Back to: Researcher Hub

Back to: Researcher Hub