Communication for

Researchers and Academics


 

 

Showtime Studios understands the intricacies of the web and print media world. Indeed, communication is a critical aspect of any research project - a fact echoed by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which "recommends that around five per cent of the total funded research budget should be allocated for communication".

This page is dedicated to explaining how we can support the communication of your research centre or particular research project by providing website designs and print designs which harness both the web and print media.
 

Designs contribute to the communication of your research through increased awareness and more effective promotion. Appropriate designs also facilitate the cohesiveness of those involved in your research, thereby bringing together key stakeholders and partners.


However, communication goes beyond designs. Below we have highlighted how your research can benefit from using the web and print media as communication tools.

 

Website communications

Online communication has several dimensions. These include:

  • Sending out relevant messages about your research (through emails, news releases, blogs, social media websites etc.)
  • Engaging in discussions about your recent research or specific research project (forums, blogs, chats, website comment areas)
  • Transferring and exchanging research related resources (website file repository tools)
  • Posting of recent research related information (news releases, research information pages, reports etc.)
  • Research advertising (advertising messages on local academic community websites, local council websites, search engines, European Community websites etc.)
  • Public relations (Social blogging such as Twitter, other local news websites, University websites, European Community websites etc.)
  • Two-way communication via feedback regarding research (reviews, peer opinions through forums, online surveys, blogs, email etc.)
  • Closer relations with research project participants, professors, peers, students (intranets, extranets, forums etc.)

 

Print communications

Print communication for academics primary involves creating awareness. This may include drawing attention to particular research projects, it may be a general tool for promoting an entire research centre or  it may involve promoting a conference.


Furthermore, specific events hosted by your research centre can be promoted using print materials. Sponsorship on print collateral is a powerful way to build brand awareness and knowledge of your research project, centre or university. Additionally, print material can highlight specific research milestones or highlight past or current success stories. Brochures can be used to highlight the staff, professors, tools and equipment involved in a specific research project. Critically, this can also help with research funding.


Print collateral functions most effectively when integrated with appropriate website design.
 

Communication for your research

We understand that your academic institution, research centre or research project has specific audiences to engage with, particular targets to reach and diverse research and knowledge to provide. From our experience with academics, we have gained an understanding of some of the particularities which you may face. We are conscious of some of the audiences you wish to speak to and some of the direct objectives you are looking for your communication to achieve.

Effective communication involves considering who the audience is, what the communication is aiming to achieve and what it is that we are actually communicating. Only then can the design and method of communication be considered.

 

See how we have supported leading researchers