Building Your Brand & Reaching Policy Makers with Your Scholarship
Getting your research in front of policy makers is a goal many academics strive for. You want your work to be noticed and you want to be able to really make a difference on the ground. In order to do this, however, it is paramount that you build your brand and the reach of your scholarship. Here are 10 tips to help you reach policy makers and achieve your goal.
Tip #1: Know Your Audience
The first step in getting your research out there is to understand who you are speaking to. Don’t just target the academics, make sure you take the time to be mindful of who the policy makers you are trying to reach are and what their needs are. This will help you craft your messaging and your arguments in a way that resonates with the right people.
Tip #2: Be Proactive
Don’t wait for the policy makers to come to you. Reach out to them and make sure you have a forum to discuss your research. Set up a meeting or take the initiative to invite them for a presentation and make sure you have a presence at important events that target policy makers.
Tip #3: Speak Their Language
When it comes to communicating with policy makers, it is important to remember that they use different language than scholars. You need to be aware of how they phrase and talk about their ideas and make sure your message fits within this language. Otherwise, you risk your work not gaining traction within the policy making circles.
Tip #4: Share Your Work
You can’t expect policy makers to be familiar with your research if you don’t make it easily accessible. Make sure you share your work widely. Use social media and other mediums to get the word out and make sure your work is available in the public domain and widely circulated.
Tip #5: Have a Plan
You need to be able to communicate the main points of your research effectively in a few minutes. Have a plan for your presentation and make sure you can succinctly explain the key points of your research and its implications for policy makers.
Tip #6: Make Sure Your Findings are Relevant
Make sure that your research is actually relevant and applicable for policy makers. Take the time to understand their needs and the implications of your research. Be able to explain to them how it is applicable and how your findings could be used in real-world settings.
Tip #7: Use the Right Channels
Make sure you use the right channels to communicate your research. For example, if you are trying to reach policy makers in government, then make sure you attend all the right meetings and conferences. Similarly, target the right journals and publications to get your research out there.
Tip #8: Create an Engaging Story
People are more likely to pay attention and engage with a good story that will capture their attention. Create an interesting narrative with your research and make sure you can effectively communicate the story to your audience.
Tip #9: Create Visual Aids
Powerpoint presentations and other visuals are incredibly useful when it comes to communicating your work. Make sure you create visually engaging and informative visuals that explain your work in a more interesting way.
Tip #10: Leverage Your Network
Finally, don’t forget to leverage your network. Reach out to colleagues and other policy makers who can help you get the word out about your work. This will help you find your position within the wider context of your research area and leverage change.
These 10 tips can help you build your brand and the reach of your scholarship, with the goal of finding your position within the wider context of your research area and leveraging change. By following these tips, you will be able to effectively communicate your research and be heard by the right people. Good luck!
