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 enable its impact by gathering external perspectives from its downstream beneficiaries, including industry?

This half-day workshop gives you the tools to articulate the broader context of your work. It will help you explain the relevance and anticipated impact of your research to people who need to know about it, but are not part of your immediate community. 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 experts and future users of your research outcomes.

It is particularly relevant if you are preparing for a workshop, conference or poster session where you can engage with potential industrial partners, or look for further sponsorship for your research, preparing for its commercial uptake, or even if you are considering a job outside academia!

This workshop adds to what you may already know about general science communication and presenting. It goes beyond Research Commercialisation 101, and dives deep into how to derive value from conversations with specialist and non-specialist audiences.

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

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

You will need to bring your own laptop

Cost: free of charge for participants, but no-shows may be asked to cover the cost of the wasted space on the course.

Number of sessions: 1

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 in relevant context for the external audience, and identify potential useful contacts.
• Confidently hold targeted conversations outside academia about your plans for and the value of your research.
• Derive value from engagement that goes beyond broadcast and invites feedback and inputs.
• Start meaningful conversations with industry that could translate to collaborations and investment.

Presentations, demonstrations and practicals

9am Refreshments available

9.30am Workshop starts

Part 1 – focuses on tips and tricks for identifying companies and individuals relevant to your research

Break for refreshments

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

12pm Workshop ends

• We will aim at running this workshop once a term - stay tuned for further dates.

Half day

Once per term