School of Physical Sciences
Research Communications Program
- Faculty Supports
- Learning Library
- Communication Examples
- Career Paths
Research Communications Learning Library
The research communications video library provides advice from diverse experts on how best to communicate your research to various audiences, in a range of contexts, using different kinds of tools. These videos are intended for faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff and students who want to build their communication skills. The Research Communications Program takes a "modular" approach to its curriculum because what works best depends on both the communicator and the audience. Practice is key and even the most experienced communicators have something new to learn.
Communication with the Media (Self-paced short course)
All faculty, staff and students may enroll in a self-paced course using your Active Directory credentials. Topics covered include:
- What makes news?
- How to identify, develop and deliver your messages for the media
- What to do when a reporter calls
- Preparing for on-camera interviews
- How to write and pitch your own op-ed piece
- How to set up professional-style video-call interviews
You can also download various tip sheets on the key topics covered. This course was designed by our partners at UC Berkeley.
General Tips on Explaining Your Research
Presentation Basics
Part 1- Why Explain Your Research and How To Reach Your Audience
Part 2- Who Are Your Audiences?
Part 3- Rearrange Your Story
Part 4- Optimize Your Text
Part 5- Use Visual Vernacular
Part 6- Creating Images
Part 7- Working With The Media
Working with Your Communications Director
This presentation video in five short parts teaches you when to reach out to your campus communication directors and how they can help you.
Presented by Dennis Meredith, author of Explaining Research
Lessons from Research on Perception for Design of Data Visualizations
Sherry Seethaler presents research on perception and memory that provides an important foundation for thinking about how to design images and graphics to reach your intended audiences.
Designing Information for Publication and Presentation
Gabi Schaffzin, an artist and graphic designer, provides practical tips on how to make graphs more informative and comprehensible for your audiences. Using a range of examples, he discusses the importance of making graphics glanceable and illustrates what features enhance glanceability.
Research Communications: Explaining Basic Brain Research with Nick Spitzer
Nick Spitzer discusses his experience explaining neuroscience research to broad audiences, and provides tips on how to use language and stories to engage people and provide insight into the scientific process.
Leadership Communications with Barbara Sawrey
Barbara Sawrey discusses how leadership communication fits within the scope of research communication, what are the particularly challenging aspects of leadership communication, and how to prepare for them.
Communicating with Venture Capitalists and Donors
This panel discussion with Seth Cohen, David Puerta and Zachary Zimmerman, led by Sherry Seethaler, provides insight into the communication opportunities and hurdles on the way to gaining financial backing to turn basic research into a spinoff company.
Introduction to Social Media for Researchers
In this presentation learn why social media is relevant to researchers and which of the common social media networks are most relevant for your work.
Communicating with Program Officers and Policymakers
Strategies for Success
Why, what and how to communicate with a program officer or policymaker.
State Research Funding
General differences between the state and federal level and state funding opportunities.
Proposal Services
Overview of the UCSD Research Proposal Development Service for campus researchers.
Research Communications Program
Program Contacts
Mario Aguilera
maguilera@ucsd.edu
(858) 822-5148
Kim Rubinstein
krubinstein@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-9954
Sherry Seethaler
sseethaler@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-4656
