Expert Talk: One Research- Five Audiences

Overview

Learn to communicate your research efficently in different contexts.

What to expect

In the 21st century, research rarely exists solely in the form of a scientific paper. Researchers need to communicate their work to different audiences and in very different contexts: to fellow researchers, reviewers and funding bodies, conference audiences, the media and the wider public, as well as potential collaborators and broader professional networks.

In doing so, it is often mistakenly assumed that researchers need to be sometimes more and sometimes less precise depending on the context. The real challenge, however, is not to compromise on scientific rigour, but to adapt the same research idea or project to different expectations, levels of prior knowledge and communication goals.

Drawing on five key formats, the expert talk explores how perspective, messaging, language and narrative structure need to change as the audience changes. This understanding is essential for communicating research effectively and for building a resilient academic career in an increasingly uncertain landscape of short-term contracts and limited long-term prospects.

The Five Formats and What They Involve:

1. Paper: Communicating with the Scientific Community

How can I structure my scientific argument so that the key findings of my research are visible and relevant to both disciplinary and interdisciplinary audiences? What does an expert audience need to know, and how much context is actually necessary?

2. Grant Application: Communicating with Reviewers and Funders

How can a scientifically interesting idea be turned into a convincing case for funding? The focus is on articulating relevance, the research problem, innovation and impact – and on understanding what will resonate with reviewers and what may fail to get through to them.

3. Conference Presentation: Communicating with an Audience in the Room

A good presentation differs from a paper read aloud. So how can researchers reduce complexity, develop a clear central message and structure their content in a way that allows the audience to follow the argument and remember the key points?

4. PR & Science Communication: Communicating with the Media, Podcasters and the Public

The general public is not primarily made up of experts and researchers. Effective communication therefore requires a different perspective: What makes a particular research project worth talking about? How can scientific findings be communicated in an accessible and relevant way without exaggerating results or glossing over scientific uncertainty?

5. LinkedIn & Beyond: Building Visibility and Professional Networks

Today, careers are also built through social media and online profiles. But how can research be turned into a message that sparks interest both within and beyond one’s immediate field? Which aspects of research lend themselves to digital communication, and how can researchers make their expertise visible without turning themselves into a “personal brand”?

The Expert

Dr. Isabella Walser-Bürgler holds a PhD in Classical Philology and Linguistics and has over 15 years of experience in German and English copywriting, editing, translation, storytelling, and science communication. She is the driving force behind VerbalVision, where she transforms complex ideas into compelling narratives at the intersection of copywriting, journalism, and science communication.