Past Research Communications Academies

2022 Research Communications Academy

The 2022 RCA launched with a three-hour online session hosted by the Alda Center for Communicating Science (ACCS) on January 20 or 21, 2022 (2 – 5 p.m.). ACCS facilitators provided a highly interactive training designed to help researchers connect and interact with an audience in meaningful ways, create memorable messages, and prioritize clarity.

In addition, the 2022 RCA offered Zoom workshops addressing specific communications skills. These workshops were open to all, and you did not have to be a part of the RCA cohort to attend.

Better Posters with Zen Faulkes

Friday, March 11, 2022, 12:40 - 2 p.m.

Almost anyone who’s wandered the poster hall at an academic conference or squinted at complex figures in a presentation has thought it: There has to be a better way. From overly long titles, tiny text and swarms of logos to bad font choices, color schemes and blurry images – it’s easy to leave viewers confused by your poster’s message. In this session, Zen Faulkes, who’s written the Better Posters blog and Better Posters book, will share tips on how to create and deliver conference posters that deliver maximum impact for your research. Faulkes, a biologist and instructor at McMaster University, will also review and workshop finished or in-progress posters submitted by Research Communications Academy participants. Register here.

Watch a video of the session here.

Communicating with News Media

Thursday, March 24, 2022, 12:45 p.m.

A panel of veteran news reporters — New Hampshire Bulletin senior reporter Annmarie Timmins and Hakai Magazine photojournalist Steve DeNeef — join UNH media relations specialists and experienced interviewee Alix Contosta, research assistant professor in EOS, to discuss how to make any news interview a positive experience in communicating your scholarship. Supporting material is here.

Watch a video of the panel here.

Updated 3/23/22: Steve DeNeef is unable to join this panel.

On-Camera Practice Interviews

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 12:30 - 2 p.m.; open only to selected members of RCA 2022 cohort

Practice being interviewed on-camera with UNH media relations specialists.

Using Social Media for Research Communications

Thursday, April 7, 2022, 12:40 - 2:00 p.m.

Hear from your colleagues about how to use social media to communicate scholarship, connect with collaborators, create a personal learning network and increase the impact of your work. Panelists: Remington Moll, assistant professor of wildlife ecology; Anne Hartwell, doctoral student in oceanography and Skype a Scientist participant; Julia Saltzman, a graduate student in quantitative marine ecology; and Nate Spada ‘21G.

Watch a video of the panel here.

Communicating with Policy makers

Friday, April 15, 2022, 2 - 4 p.m.

Communicating with policy makers often comes in the form of supporting or opposing a bill by providing testimony to legislators in committee. PowerPlay’s interactive training lab will create a mock legislative committee hearing using actor/improvisors. Participants will be encouraged to ask the characters questions, make suggestions about how to navigate the challenges they're facing, and then rewind the scene and examine in real time how effective those strategies might be. PowerPlay has developed a dynamic, interactive way to confront crucial issues from the comfort and safety of your chair.

Watch a video of the panel here.

Communicating in Interdisciplinary Teams

Thursday, April 21, 2022, 12:40 - 2:00 p.m.

Teams, including interdisciplinary teams, are important to solving complex problems, and strong communication is an essential component to team success. This workshop focuses on fostering communication among team members. Experts and exercises will help you understand team foundations, explore potential differences a member may bring to the team and facilitate team discussions. With Tuck Pescosolido, an associate professor in Paul College with expertise in team development. Moderated by Maria Emanuel, senior associate of research and large center development and manager of UNH’s Collaborative Research Excellence (CoRE) initiative.

Watch a video of the session here.

 

2021 Research Communications Academy

UNH’s 2021 Research Communications Academy will be all virtual via Zoom. Sessions are free and open to all, although participation in mock interviews with news media (Jan. 13) and practice pitches to policymakers (March 9) will require a brief application to facilitate planning and manage limited space.

Launched in 2019, the RCA is hosted annually by the Research Office, NH EPSCoR and the UNH Graduate School.

The 2021 RCA includes:

Communicating with News Media

Wednesday, January 13, 1:00pm

Two veteran news reporters — WMUR reporter Jennifer Crompton and Union Leader correspondent Kimberly Haas — along with UNH media relations specialists discuss how to make any news interview a positive experience in communicating your scholarship.

2:15 – 3:30pm: On-camera interview training

Practice being interviewed by a reporter by doing mock interview with experts from UNH Media Relations. Space is very limited so participants must submit a brief application (details to come). Those who are chosen to participate will work with an RCA mentor to hone their message and delivery prior to the training.

If you have questions about this session, contact Beth Potier.

Better Posters with Zen Faulkes

Monday, February 15, 2:30-3:30pm

Almost anyone who’s wandered the poster hall at an academic conference or squinted at complex figures in a presentation has thought it: There has to be a better way. From overly long titles, tiny text and swarms of logos to bad font choices, color schemes and blurry images – it’s easy to leave viewers confused by your poster’s message. In this session, Zen Faulkes, who’s written the Better Posters blog for more than a decade and whose Better Posters book will be released Jan. 25, will share tips on how to create and deliver conference posters that deliver maximum impact for your research. Faulkes, a biologist and instructor at McMaster University, will also review and workshop finished or in-progress posters submitted by Research Communications Academy participants.

Webinar video is here.

 

Communicating With Policy Makers

Tuesday, March 9, 12:40 – 2:00pm

Engaging with those who make policy can be a rewarding way to extend the impact of your scholarship. Join elected officials, staff and government advocates to learn about the political process at the local, state and federal level and better understand the types of information that is important to elected leaders as they make decisions on public policy.

2:00 pm Practice Pitches

Develop a public policy "ask" and role-play a meeting with a public official to practice attempting to advance a policy priority. Space is limited; apply here by February 23.

Webinar video is here.

 

Communicating With Funders

Tuesday, April 6, 12:40 – 2:00pm

UNH’s Research and Large Center Development and Institutional Giving teams will give an overview of their services and how scholars can use them to create effective grant proposals. Joined by a proposal-savvy researchers, they’ll address

• How to find federal and foundation funders
• The components of an effective proposal
• When to access different institutional resources

Panelists include Lynnette Hentges, Research and Large Center Development; Laura Chisholm, Institutional Giving; Ruth Varner, professor of Earth sciences, and Jeannie Sowers, professor of political science.

Webinar video is here.

 

Using Social Media

Thursday, April 15, 3:30 – 4:30pm

Hear from your colleagues about how to use social media to communicate scholarship, connect with collaborators, create a personal learning network and increase the impact of your work. Panel will include four UNH scholars who reflect a range of social media activity:

• Nathan Furey, assistant professor of biological sciences
• Emily Klein ’08G, ‘13G, aquatic sciences officer with the Pew Charitable Trusts
• Alecia Magnifico, associate professor of English and English teaching program coordinator
• Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, assistant professor of physics and core faculty member in women’s studies

Webinar video is here.

2020 Research Communications Academy

• Intensive two-day training in communicating research presented by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science: Thursday, January 9 and Friday, January 10, 2020 (MUB Room 330)
• Media panel and training: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 1 - 2:30pm, 307 Horton Hall
  • Come hear from a panel of news media experts including Kim Haas of the Union Leader, UNH media relations specialists and a faculty member experienced in news interviews (Marine School assistant research professor Jennifer Dijkstra) on how to make any news interview a positive experience in communicating your scholarship.
  • Wrap-up notes are here.
• Proposal development training led by AtKisson Training Group: Friday, March 6, 2020, 8 am - 5:30 pm. New Hampshire Hall Room 208.
  • Open to all. RSVP here.
  • “Very engaging and knowledgeable presenter. Enjoyed the program and would recommend it to others. Outstanding program. This will make me better at writing, developing, and reviewing grant proposals.” — 2019 workshop participant
• PowerPlay Mentorship Workshop and Bias Intervention Lab: March 12, 2020, 1:30-4, MUB 330/332.
  • Open to all. RSVP here.
• Additional informal gatherings and practice sessions
• Access to and support for opportunities to communicate with diverse stakeholders including legislators, news media, industry partners and others

Participation is competitive and based on a review of application materials by a team of faculty and staff.

Contact Justine Stadler for more information.