Why Research Communication Matters—Now More Than Ever
Northwestern faculty and students are tackling big problems—advancing everything from cancer therapies to quantum computing and the crisis in local news coverage. But doing great research isn’t enough. We also have to explain its value.
In today’s climate of increasing skepticism toward science and higher education, research communication is a core competency, not a nice-to-have. A 2024 Pew survey found that only 45% of U.S. adults view scientists as good communicators. Gallup data reveal an even steeper decline in trust in universities—only 36% of Americans now express confidence in higher education, down from 57% a decade ago.
These numbers matter. They influence funding, policymaking, and public engagement. When the public tunes out, even groundbreaking work can go unnoticed—or unsupported.
Northwestern Has Built a Culture of Communication
That’s why we’ve invested in programs like:
- The Graduate School’s Research Communication Training Program (RCTP) – A Spring Quarter course providing foundational skills in storytelling, public engagement and presentations to master’s students, PhD students, and postdoctoral scholars on both campuses. Since its inception in 2012, nearly 400 participants representing almost every school at Northwestern have completed the course.
- The Medill Media and Science Communication (MMaSC) Program – A five-unit certificate in writing for public audiences. STEM PhD students partner with top journalism faculty to learn how to translate their research into accessible language. Since its launch in 2015, nearly 300 students from Weinberg, Feinberg, and McCormick have enrolled in the intro course alone; students can also earn a three-unit cluster.
Both of these academic efforts have proven to give our participants advantages both in future careers in academia as well as in careers in industry, policy, media and more. The upcoming July 14 Tell your Story: Careers in Research Communications event, exposing graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to research communications careers, complements these efforts. Experts will share their insights into how sharp storytelling can shape public understanding about the important impact of university scholarship.
Endorsed and co-sponsored by The Graduate School, the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and the Office for Research, this event—and these academic programs—are great opportunities for our research community to explore ways to amplify the brilliant work you do.
Eric Perreault
Vice President for Research
Office for Research
Kelly Mayo
Dean of The Graduate School and
Associate Provost for Graduate Education
Charles Whitaker
Dean and Professor
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
Categories: From the Dean, STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities, Broad Interest