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Communicating Your Research

How to reach a wider audience 

Faculty are invited to attend an annual series of workshops co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Global Marketing and Communication (OGMC) to learn how to better communicate research to the public and the media. Learn skills such as distilling your message, removing jargon and using storytelling, practice delivering your research in less than three minutes, and polish your talking points  Faculty may sign up for one or more workshops. Space is limited.  

These sessions provide: 

  • Ways to talk about your research that will resonate with the public as well as with your disciplinary peers 
  • Skills for communicating the impact of your research—why it matters and why you do it—clearly and succinctly 
  • Opportunities to prepare and workshop your message, get feedback and gain confidence 
  • Advice for how to work with journalists and the media, including on-camera training 
  • OGMC also offers interview tips, advice for writing op-eds and other resources. 

Learn more about the impact of the Communicating Research Series. 

Questions? Contact faculty@northwestern.edu 

2026-2027 Schedule 

Table with programming
Date Session Details

Thursday, Oct. 22, 
1-2:30 p.m. 
Norris University Center, Evanston

 

Communicating Your Research: Distilling Your Message 

Learn communication theory, practice in real time, and gain immediate feedback in this interactive session that will help you talk about your research in ways that resonate with the public as well as with disciplinary peers.   

  • Learn how to communicate your research succinctly, yet accurately, and in an engaging way   
  • Explore accurate ways to start with the ‘why’ your work matters to your audience. 
  • Practice techniques to understand and engage your audience   
  • Increase your confidence in communicating to the public   

Facilitator: Heather L. Barnes, Lecturer, Kellogg   

Register 

Monday, Nov. 16 
10-11:30 a.m. 
Chicago

Media 101 

Members of OGMC’s media staff will present basic tips on working with the media, including understanding news deadlines, how to make faculty work interesting for lay audiences and more. Learn more and register.

Winter, Chicago 

Communicating Science: Scientific Storytelling 

Winter, Evanston 

Communicating Research: Engaging New Audiences 

Spring, Evanston

Communicating Research: Engaging New Audiences 

Spring, Chicago

Op-Ed Writing 

Monthly

Working with the Media: Broadcast Bootcamp 

These personalized, 45-minute, in-person media-training sessions with broadcast experts from OGMC’s media team provide faculty with the experience of being on camera during either a pre-taped or live interview. Learn more.

Writing support

In addition to programming on communicating your research, the Office of the Provost offers a variety of programs to support your scholarly writing, including on-site writing groups, writing retreats, and workshops.