Hi there! I’m Mariam Jack. Some of you might be thinking—where have you been? Or—you’re back! Or even—who are you? Well, I’m SGSAH’s (recently returned) Communications Coordinator. I’ve been with SGSAH since 2020, but for the past year, I was on secondment, gaining experience as a Communications & Engagement Lead within a Research Unit focused on reducing health inequalities. There, I helped public health researchers craft clear, compelling messages and find creative ways to share their work with different audiences and stakeholders.

This experience has deepened my knowledge of research communications, and that’s what this article is all about. If you’re looking for practical tips and inspiration on how to share your research—whether beyond your supervisory team or outside the academic sphere altogether—read on!

Sharing Your Research Matters

Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with PGRs (Postgraduate Researchers) and ECRs (Early Career Researchers) across diverse disciplines, and I absolutely love it. Sorry if this sounds cliché, but researchers are some of the most driven, knowledgeable, and passionate people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. They teach me so much, and I could talk to them about almost anything! While I haven’t been inspired to start a PhD of my own just yet, I am passionate about supporting researchers in my role as a communications professional.

You may think Public Health Sciences is vastly different from Arts & Humanities research, and in many ways, it is. But no matter the discipline, researchers should share their work widely, ensuring their message is clear and impactful.

High-quality research, regardless of its field,
has the potential to change lives.

And to achieve that, effective communication and public engagement are essential skills—ones that can be honed in any academic area.

So, how can you share your research in meaningful and engaging ways? Here are some ideas to get you started…

Start a Podcast

Podcasts are a fantastic way to engage new audiences and communicate complex ideas in an accessible format. If you enjoy conversations and storytelling, a podcast could be the perfect medium to showcase your research.

• It doesn’t have to be long! Shorter, 15-minute episodes perform well.
• You don’t need to do it alone. Collaborate with peers or post a call for contributors in a PhD forum.
• Free tools are available. Platforms like Spotify for Creators (as of now) offer free podcast hosting, and Audacity is a great, user-friendly editing tool.
• Check with your university. Many institutions have podcasting groups and/or soundproof recording spaces.
• Make it timely. Consider aligning a one-off episode or series with a national awareness month relevant to your research for greater exposure.
• You don’t need fancy equipment. Many successful podcasters started by recording on their smartphones! Your university might also provide equipment or studio space you can borrow.

Get into Blogging

If you love writing and want to reach a broader audience, blogging is a great option. You can create your own blog or submit guest posts to existing research platforms (like this one!). Blogging allows for a more personal and flexible approach to research communication. It’s also a powerful way to build your online presence without relying on social media, giving your research a lasting digital footprint and a platform to engage readers on your own terms.

• You can have fun with it. Unlike journal articles, blogs allow for creativity, personal storytelling, and informal tone.
• Build an audience. Blogging lets you connect with readers on a deeper level, and you can even collect email subscribers—this can be valuable for future collaborations or event promotions.
• Free platforms are available. Consider starting on Wix, Substack, WordPress, or Blogspot.
• Be strategic. Blog posts can be a great way to complement other research outputs, such as podcasts, public talks, or journal publications.

Leverage Social Media

Social media platforms provide excellent opportunities for research dissemination. Choose the right platform based on your research and audience. Here are some prominent examples:

• Bluesky: Designed to be a public conversation platform, Bluesky lets users engage in posts and discussions much like Twitter/X, but with more control over their experience. It’s great for research networking, sharing updates, and engaging in academic discussions.
• Instagram: Less suited for in-depth research communications, but great for visual storytelling.
• LinkedIn: Useful for writing long-form content, networking, and professional visibility.
• YouTube: A hugely untapped space for researchers! Video content can help humanise your research and engage wider audiences.
• TikTok: Short-form videos are everywhere—whether on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels—and they offer a fantastic way to share research in a punchy, engaging, and accessible format. These videos are easy to create, widely shareable, and require nothing more than a smartphone and a clear, central idea. For inspiration, check out The National Archives’ TikTok (@uknatarchives)—a brilliant example of how institutions are using short-form video to bring history and research to life.

You don’t need a big budget or high production value—authenticity is what truly connects with audiences.

Whether it’s a simple, well-structured video or a thoughtful, well-written post, the key is clarity and storytelling. A compelling post can spark curiosity, foster discussions, and make complex research more digestible for a wider audience—helping your work reach beyond academic circles.

Engage with Your Institution’s Communications Team

Your institution likely has a dedicated communications team—and possibly even a research-specific communications department. Get in touch with them!

• They can help amplify your work. University teams have established networks, newsletters, and media contacts.
• They might offer media training. And if they don’t, there’s no harm in inquiring about it. A beginner’s media training course can be a great way to learn how to navigate media interactions, communicate complex ideas to the public, or simply improve your presentation skills.
• They’re there to support you. Even if you only have a rough idea, they can help shape and refine your outreach strategy.

Consider Traditional Media

If your research has broad public interest or news value, you might want to pitch it to traditional media outlets.

• Is it newsworthy? Think about how your research connects to current events or societal issues. Factors influencing newsworthiness might also include:
  • Does it challenge current thinking?
  • Is there a strong local interest angle?
  • Is the work novel or unusual?
• Leverage university media contacts. See the point above. Your institution’s communications team and press office should always be the first point of contact and are best placed to advise on getting your work in front of local media, national, international or specialist media.
• Expert commentary. Even when not looking to promote your own research, you can also contribute expert comment to ongoing news stories or trends. 

Final Thoughts: Just Give It a Go!

In the words of Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic, “Take it seriously, but don’t take it seriously.” Think of research communication as an experiment—try things out, learn new skills, and most importantly, enjoy the process (If you aren’t enjoying it, your audiences will know immediately!).

Many researchers are natural questioners—curious, open-minded, and analytical. However, this can also mean they easily talk themselves out of trying new things.

If you’re even slightly interested in any of these ideas,
take it as a sign to explore them.

And remember—this is all extra. You don’t have to do it. But if you do, you might just find it opens doors to new collaborations, exciting opportunities, and a broader impact for your research.

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