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Welcome to Econnect Communication’s March 2005 newsletter – ‘It’s all in the timing’. This issue looks at timing issues involved in engaging with the public.
Timing has been on our minds recently. We have moved back into our renovated offices at West End after five months away. Our move was delayed several times, but now we’re back and it’s great!
In another move, we appointed a new office manager this week and we welcome Lynne Goodwin to our company (see below for a short article by Lynne). Jenni is looking forward to reclaiming her weekends!
We also welcome Mark Jeffrey, a freelance journalist, who will be sharing our new office space and sometimes working with us.
As usual, we welcome any feedback you have to this newsletter.
Regards, Econnect Communication Jenni Metcalfe, Michelle Riedlinger, Terri Telford
This month – March 2004 It’s all in the timing Taking it to the mediaWhen do you involve the public? Bringing order to Camp Econnect Subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletterContact Us
Taking it to the mediaBy Jenni Metcalfe
When running media skills workshops some of the participants ask when they should communicate their work to the media. Most presume that the only time it’s worth communicating to the media is when all the results of their research is in, analysed and peer reviewed.
However, most research stories make for good media serial stories. You can talk to the media to: · tell them you are exploring an important problem that they should know about (remember the media attention given to dryland salinity in the late 1990s – and the subsequent funding put into research and amelioration efforts) · announce funding or support for new research addressing an important need or problem – which prepares the public for potential change · let people (especially in local area) know about experiments you are starting and why they are important · discuss any initial results – again letting people know relevant information or preparing them for possible change · announce important peer-reviewed research (especially if published in a prestigious journal like Nature or Science – but remember to stick to their embargoes) · promote the adoption or technology transfer of your research – to industry, policy makers or the public (they all take notice of the media) · celebrate the changes that your research has brought about – e.g. new policies, new on-ground works, etc
There are many opportunities to use the media. Don’t wait till you have the peer reviewed results ready to go. By then it might be too late to get the public or others onside with the work you are doing.
Don’t forget you can also be proactive in using the media when you find any incorrect information or perceptions in the media about topics which you’re an expert in. There are also potential opportunities to link to current issues and get some good scientific information out. Think of the recent tsunami tragedy and the need for geoscientists to explain what went on.
There may also be a need to provide information that can help balance public debates. Decision makers often can’t wait until your work is peer reviewed – they need the best available information now.
There was recent debate on the Australian Science Communicator’s list about the “hyping” of science in the media. David Mussared had this to say:
“The quickest way to make science irrelevant is to divorce it from the immediacy of news reporting by throwing obstacles in the way such as ’you can't report this in the paper until after it's appeared in a peer-reviewed journal’, or ‘you can't use the word breakthrough unless it's been approved by the proper thought police’.
Media discussion of science should be about the ideas, the debate, where the science is (or might be) taking us - what the scientists are talking about (or conspiring about, or brawling about), the gossip and excitement and buzz of being involved in what is a pretty interesting part of human culture. Limiting it to some dry discussion of ‘peer-reviewed results only’ or trying to come up with some objective measure of what constitutes a ‘breakthrough’ is not going to do much to enliven and inform public discussion.”
When do you
involve the public?
Bringing order to Camp Econnect By Lynne Goodwin
Every now and then, when the stars are in the correct alignment, something wonderful happens. Someone finds the kind of job they had set their heart on, a company finds an employee who actually loves working for them as well as being capable… and work colleagues find they have the same like-mindedness to become great friends.
That fortunate someone is me, Lynne Goodwin, the brand-spanking-new Office Manager here at Econnect!
It wasn’t long after emigrating here from the UK five years ago (with my husband, two children and dog) that the whole family developed a passion and respect for Australia’s ecology, joining in various local and national associations concerned with the environment.
One of our favourite pastimes is exploring the beautiful and fascinating countryside and I feel honoured that, through this position with Econnect, I’ll be able to learn so much more about this vast continent.
Of course, being Manager of such a busy office involves a little more than regimented precision and although I don’t intend to turn it into a ‘Boot Camp’, I’ll certainly be making sure that everyone knows where to find an envelope! Subscribe to our free monthly e-newsletter
Subscribe/unsubscribe: send email to admin@econnect.com.au with “subscribe” or “unsubscribe” in subject line. View past newsletters: http://www.econnect.com.au/news_newsletter.htm Contact Us
Econnect Communication works with science, environment, ecotourism and natural resource management agencies to:
Contact us: phone 07 3846 7111; email admin@econnect.com.au Website: http://www.econnect.com.au New tips: http://www.econnect.com.au/news_qt.htm
© Econnect Communication Pty Ltd, 2005 Articles in this newsletter can be reproduced if Econnect Communication Pty Ltd is acknowledged as the source
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