About this guide
This guide is aimed explicitly at the UOC teaching and research staff and addresses the communication needs that may arise during the course of research activities.
It lists a series of services and audiences that should be taken into account in scientific communication. The Quick guide for maximizing the reach of R&I projects consists of an abridged version of the aspects to be taken into account.
Reasons for a guide
Universities and research centres are nowadays the principal sources of scientific information.
In addition to R&I, knowledge transfer and teaching, higher education institutions must now also focus on the communication of research results, including engagement and dissemination.
In this day and age, communication of results is for researchers a duty, and for the public, a right; key goals include maximizing transparency, improving information, creating open dialogues and developing trust. All of this should lead to social generation of knowledge.
Types of research communication
Below we outline different types of research communication together with brief descriptions. This guide covers recommendations, resources and services for all types of research communication.
Scholarly communication: the sharing of research results between academics, mainly intended for readers in the same or similar fields of study.
Dissemination: sometimes used as an umbrella term, this may involve communications within the academic community (e.g. in academic journals), but it often involves communications aimed at a wider audience.
Outreach: this is aimed at cultivating interest among the general public, getting people involved, interacting with them and putting them in touch with the live reality of the field of study. The following concepts are both part of outreach:
- Knowledge transfer: using research results in industry, leading to the generation of economic benefits.
- Journalism: sharing knowledge gained from research via the media.
“If universities don't lead or contribute decisively to the process of cultivating our world, their work is in vain”
Manuel Toharia, PhD in Physics and science communicator, 2010