Communicate impact
Below are some useful tips when communicating your research and its social impact externally, for example through LinkedIn or ResearchGate.
What is the story?
Start by making a news evaluation to bring forward the newsworthy item. Summarise the research and its results in a maximum of three sentences.
Insert the research into a context. How may the results be used? What benefit will the research or education have in society? What consequences can it lead to?
Who is the target group?
Define who your target group is. Who is this of interest to and why?
For example, how will it affect everyday life for people from perspectives such as social benefits, finances and education. Focus on improvements and real applications.
When to communicate
Is this a current issue? Is it urgent? Is there a critical timeline to relate to? Does the research or education relate to national or international news reports, for example regarding energy, health, transports or the UN's 17 climate goals?
Who is involved
Are there other players or partners that are involved? Other universities or companies?
Available material
Make a plan for images, pictures, illustrations, video, sound or links to complementary material from the very start. This will be helpful when starting to communicate.
What channel?
Depending on the nature of your work, decide on a platform to use. Start with your target group. Where can they be reached? Also consider the timeframe. It this an urget matter relating to something happening right now? If so, your own platsforms, for example LinkedIn or ResearchGate, might be the best option to communicate fast. Other useful channels can be your division's webpage or your profile page.