The Ramblings of Munro

Andre Picard's Top Ten for Researchers

Rainbow Health Ontario held a conference today on Knowledge Transfer & Exchange. Andre Picard, the public health report for the Globe and Mail was the keynote speaker and he provided a top ten list of how researchers should deal with the main stream media.

1. Know your message.

The interpretation of your research is your message. You should be able to summarize your research in 21 words.

2. Be an advocate for evidence, don't be an advocate for the cause.

When you become an advocate to your cause, you diminish the research. Allow yourself to say some negative stuff to give your research some credibility.

3. Be selective and mix it up.

You have to aim different types of research to different types of media. An example is the Centre for Disease Control's use of the Zombie Attack to deliver their message. Have fun sometimes with your research.

4. Show me the money.

Spend time on the monetary benefits; money is the language of government.

5. Seek out allies.

Sometimes you need more than evidence to win over the public. Find a group that has common interest to ally.

6. Give the issue a human face.

Personalize the story - make the story about people and then the numbers back it up.

7. No surprises.

If you have news that's going to impact the government, tip them off to allow them to prepare. If you have good research, you will win the argument but you don't want to come across as sneaky.

8. Have some backbone.

Err on the side of the truth. Sometime it doesn't matter how much it will hurt, its important to know the truth.

9. Timing is everything.

Journalists are bad at getting background but when something flares up, it gives them context. If an issue arises that you have research for, that is the perfect time to send it out.

10. Watch your language.

Watch the jargon - keep it simple.


For more info on Rainbow Health Ontario, check out www.rainbowhealthontario.ca
Todd Ross
416 505 4740

posted by Munro @ 2:08 PM