Putting your Research into Context

PrerequisitesNew

Do people tune out when you talk to them about your research? Can you explain why your research is worth their attention? Do you know how to make your research better and enhance its impact by gathering external perspectives from industrial and commercial contacts?

This 3-hour workshop gives you the tools to discover and communicate the broader context of your work when engaging with industry and business contacts. It will help you explain the relevance and anticipated impact of your research to non-experts. Practice discussing your work among peers so that you can crystallise your message and make it relevant. This will maximise the value of your next opportunity to talk about your research to external contacts.

This workshop is particularly relevant if you are preparing to participate in a workshop, conference or poster session where you will be engaging with potential industrial partners. It is also relevant if you are looking for future sponsorship for your research, preparing for its commercial uptake, or even if you are considering a job outside academia!

Course Organised by: Maxwell Centre (www.maxwell.cam.ac.uk)

Please note for in-person courses the Maxwell Centre is on the U bus route.

Cambridge postdoctoral and early-career researchers & late-stage PhD students

You will need a computer and access to a web browser during the workshop.
Further information will be provided in the Booking Confirmation.
Cost: free of charge for participants, but no-shows may be asked to cover the cost of the wasted space on the course.

By the end of the workshop, you will know how to:

• Quickly assess how commercially-relevant your idea/research/technology is, using guidance on where to look, starting from as low threshold as general internet searches.
• Put your research into a relevant context for an industrial or commercial audience, and identify potential useful contacts.
• Confidently hold targeted conversations outside academia about your plans for and the value of your research.
• Start meaningful conversations with industry that could translate to collaborations and investment.

Presentations, demonstrations and practicals, with the support of commercialisation experts from Cambridge Enterprise

9:00 am - Coffee and tea on arrival

9:30 am - Part 1: focuses on tips and tricks for identifying companies and individuals relevant to your research

11.15 am - Break: an opportunity for informal chats

11:30 am - Part 2: opportunities to practice describing your research and making your description exciting and relevant to the listener so that you get value from the conversation

12:30 pm - Workshop ends

3 hours

This course is offered once a term, but each person only needs to attend once