Impact of Social Sciences

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‘Truth is our role’ – why cultivating relationships matters when it comes to academic engagement with the media.

‘Truth is our role’ – why cultivating relationships matters when it comes to academic engagement with the media.

Reporting back from a one-day event on the role of news and media in communicating research findings, Judy Stephenson shares tips from the panel and workshops on what journalists are looking for and how academics can get involved. While it is academics’ responsibility to engage, and to engage well, academics require moral and practical support. The role of public […]

June 3rd, 2016|Academic communication, Impact, Knowledge Transfer, LSE Comment, Public Engagement, Social Media|0 Comments|

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Artificial divisions between science and culture hinder creative dialogue and public engagement.

Artificial divisions between science and culture hinder creative dialogue and public engagement.

Athene Donald ask why we artificially divide the world between that which is considered scientific and that which is considered culture? The two spheres are increasingly isolated from each other and the media consistently reinforce this division. The dialogue between science and culture, and indeed scientists and non-scientists, should be ongoing and properly integrated.

People seem to think that science […]

June 11th, 2015|Academic communication, Impact, Public Engagement|1 Comment|

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Academics should express an “editorial mission” in order to create consistent media content

Academics should express an “editorial mission” in order to create consistent media content

There is now substantial space and appetite for academic content on the web, but maintaining momentum on these platforms can be an uphill struggle with other pressing teaching and research priorities. Kevin Anselmo looks at what researchers can learn from media companies and argues it is important to think about the driving forces that will enable you to execute your […]

May 29th, 2015|Academic communication, Essential 'how-to' Guides, Knowledge Transfer, Podcasting, Social Media|2 Comments|

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The human context of numbers: why live interviews are a particular challenge for statisticians.

The human context of numbers: why live interviews are a particular challenge for statisticians.

The live interview format requires researchers to be concise and succinct when discussing bodies of complex knowledge. But how should researchers respond when asked questions outside their field of expertise? David Spiegelhalter recommends to spend some time prior to the interviews examining the human context of the numbers and be ready to summarise what social scientists have said about how your research […]

May 25th, 2015|Academic communication, Impact, Public Engagement|0 Comments|

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Book Review: Kittler Now: Current Perspectives in Kittler Studies

Book Review: Kittler Now: Current Perspectives in Kittler Studies

Friedrich Kittler was one of the world’s most influential, provocative and misunderstood media theorists. His work spans analyses of historical ‘discourse networks’ inspired by French poststructuralism, influential theorisations of new media, through to musings on music and mathematics. Niall Flynn notes how Kittler himself defied familiar understandings of interdisciplinary research and challenges established research models. The best essays in this volume, Flynn […]

May 24th, 2015|Book Reviews|0 Comments|

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Media Training for Academics: How to avoid being misquoted by journalists.

Media Training for Academics: How to avoid being misquoted by journalists.

Researchers are often wary of speaking to mainstream media outlets for fear of misrepresentation. There are certainly pressing issues with how journalists simplistically present research findings, but delivering a clear, on-target message can help to ensure the research doesn’t accidentally get lost in translation. Kevin Anselmo offers advice on preparation and training beforehand to reduce the likelihood of being misquoted.

In the midst of the […]

February 26th, 2015|Academic communication, Knowledge Transfer, Public Engagement|4 Comments|

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Book Review: Heidegger and the Media by David Gunkel and Paul A. Taylor

Book Review: Heidegger and the Media by David Gunkel and Paul A. Taylor

Martin Heidegger has been largely ignored within communications studies, but this book aims to show the relevance of his work for the field. David Gunkel and Paul A. Taylor analyse Heidegger’s theory of language and its relevance to communications studies, and assess Heidegger’s legacy for future developments in media theory. Niall Flynn finds this a clear and thought-provoking read, though a touch more […]

August 3rd, 2014|Academic communication, Book Reviews|0 Comments|

Maximising luck: Six steps to getting your research noticed by journalists.

Stuart Fox traces the encounters and conversations which led to his research eventually being featured in a high-profile newspaper. He highlights here the lessons he learned about getting his research noticed by journalists and politicians. There is no simple, straight-forward way of getting noticed – in many cases it comes down to luck and patience. But there are things that can be done […]

January 10th, 2014|Impact, Public Engagement|1 Comment|

To write for the public is to demonstrate social scientists have knowledge, expertise, and thoughts worth considering.

Engaging with the media can be time consuming and the effort involved often reaps little professional reward in traditional academic structures. But it also can demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement. Rachel Newcomb looks at different types of media engagement and finds Op-Eds in particular can be a worthwhile exercise for anthropologists to be succinct and to communicate the value of their work […]

September 3rd, 2013|Academic communication, Impact|4 Comments|

How to work with academics for media folks

There is a lot to gain from both sides if media and academia build more bridges, but Tressie McMillan Cottom finds the two working cultures are shaped by very different incentives and priorities which can cause unnecessary friction. Provided here is a helpful primer on the differences between the two, focusing primarily on what media contacts can do to improve and strengthen these […]

June 13th, 2013|Academic communication, Impact|2 Comments|

Making an impact: communicating your research to a ‘stand up radio’ audience

Steven Fielding finds it bizarre that academics spend so much time producing knowledge, which they then share only with a tiny number of people. Radio documentaries are a great way for academics to break down the ivory tower image. It offers a new environment and the opportunity to work with other disciplines and expertise while reaching a much broader audience. In 2010 […]

February 19th, 2013|Academic communication, Impact, REF 2014|2 Comments|

Book Review: Working for Policy

Dave O’Brien opens up the black box of policy making in this diverse collection of essays for the academic eye. The essays paint a picture of policy emerging from politicians, bureaucrats, professional experts, advocacy and interest groups, as well as academics, media and citizens, in situations where policy is never a linear process with clear beginnings, middles and ends. Working for […]

December 4th, 2011|Book Reviews|1 Comment|

Share your Twitter top tips for a new ‘how-to’ guide for academics on the merits of academic tweeting

Are you an academic who uses Twitter? What do you Tweet about? Who are your Tweeps? Amy Mollett and the LSE Impact team are seeking your tips and advice on the merits of academic tweeting to include in a new ‘how-to’ guide for newcomers.

We’ve recently covered some of the ways that blogging can increase the impact of academic research, […]

June 22nd, 2011|Academic communication, Social Media|6 Comments|