Health policy translation clinic: Communicating with the media

Ever tried explaining your research to a journalist and heard yourself say phrases like “our multivariate regression model suggests…” or “our findings were statistically significant at the p < 0.05 level” or “results may show a heterogeneous treatment effect across subpopulations…”? You’re not alone. Translating research for the real world is a skill most of us were not taught in graduate school.

That’s why we’re launching the WashU SPH PS2 Health Policy Translation Clinic Series for SPH primary and secondary faculty members. The first clinic, Communicating with the Media, will be held on Tuesday, April 21 with a group training session from 1 to 2:30 pm, followed by optional one-on-one mock interview sessions from 3 to 5 p.m.

Registration is required. Sign-ups for the mock interviews are available through the registration link.

Clinic #1: Communicating with Media

In this interactive session, SPH faculty will learn how to turn complex research into clear, compelling messages that can inform policy, practice, and public understanding without sacrificing accuracy (or breaking into academic jargon).

What to expect:

• Clinic trainers who are seasoned journalists from WashU MarComm, SPH Communications, and St. Louis Public Radio.
• A 90-minute training on translating research for media audiences.
• Tips for explaining complex findings in clear, plain language.
• Strategies for communicating the policy and practice impact of your research.
• Tips for explaining your work in ways reporters (and their readers) can understand.
• Guidance on how journalists approach science and policy stories.
• A live demonstration of a media interview between a seasoned researcher (our very own Timothy McBride) and a St. Louis Public Radio journalist with feedback in real time.
• Optional: Faculty may sign-up for a mock interview practice session with one of our journalist “clinicians” post-clinic via the registration link (because practice beats panic!).

This clinic is for everyone, whether you have no experience talking to the media or do it regularly. If a reporter called tomorrow asking about your research, would you be ready? Join us and find out.

This clinic is brought to you by SPH Policy & Structural Solutions (PS2) research network in collaboration with the WashU Office of Public Scholarship, WashU Marketing & Communications, and SPH Office of Communications.