This webinar is part of the Researcher Academy's Research Communication Programme. To find out more information on how to gain a certificate in one of the Research Communication pathways, visit the SharePoint page. 

Target audience: All Researchers 


Description: 

Are you an academic, researcher or PhD candidate who would like to build a media profile and take your research to a global public audience by writing for The Conversation?

The Conversation is a news analysis and opinion website with content written by academics working with professional journalists. It is an open access, independent media charity funded by more than 80 UK and European universities.

In this interactive session we'll take you through what The Conversation is - our origins and aims; what we do and why.

We’ll look at why you should communicate your research to the public and take you through The Conversation’s unique, collaborative editorial process.

We’ll give you tips on style, tone and structure (with examples), look at how to pitch (with examples) and look at different approaches and article types.

You will have the opportunity to discuss your research with a Conversation editor and pitch potential story ideas.

*Note the session takes place on Zoom and we expect you to turn your camera on.

Benefits of attending:

• Find out how to join a community of academic authors taking their expertise outside the institution
• Understand what makes a good story and the types of articles your expertise could generate
• Learn the skills of journalistic writing and how to make your writing accessible and engaging to a diverse general audience
• Meet one of The Conversation’s editors and learn how we commission articles

To get the most out of your time with the editor, come prepared:

• Read some articles on The Conversation to get a sense of what we publish
• The Conversation: Who we are and how we work with academics will give you an overview of how we work. Key sections: 2 - 4.
• How to write for The Conversation will help you generate ideas for articles to discuss with the editor. Key sections: 3 - 8.

There are a limited number of places for this session. If you sign up and then are no longer able to attend, please cancel your registration so that your place can be re-allocated to a colleague on the waiting list.

This course forms part of the "Communicating your Research through The Media" pathway. 

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Access Zoom
Access to specific software on laptop/ PC
Attend sessions at specified dates and times during course
Attend the course at the specified date and time
Use Zoom chatbox function
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course
Take part in group activities/ discussions (within online breakout rooms)

Booking Conditions

Our webinars/ online courses are very popular, especially in the current period and we are experiencing large volumes of people on our waiting lists.  

Please do let us know if you would like to cancel your place on this course so we can offer your place to another delegate. 

Please note, attendances for courses will be recorded. There are no training points associated with courses run by the Researcher Academy.