Ishita Patil, Planning and Environment, University of Manchester (2024 Cohort)

In April 2025, I attended a two half-day online workshop titled Telling the World: Publicising Your Research Through the Media, organised by former BBC journalists Tim Grout-Smith and Lily Poberezhska. The workshop was advertised through the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), and while I was uncertain about what to expect, I enrolled with the hope of learning how to communicate my research beyond academic settings, especially by avoiding all the academic jargon.

My doctoral research studies the role of social identities in shaping the real estate sector in India. Given the direct relevance of this topic to lived experiences, I wish to share my findings beyond scholarly circles. The workshop offered an important first step towards that goal — it did not necessarily provide all the answers, but it certainly gave a strong sense of direction.

The workshop was meticulously organised. Prior to the sessions, we were asked to submit summaries of our research, which allowed Tim and Lily to tailor their approach to our individual projects. This preparatory step also enabled them to engage with us as journalists might, asking probing and clarifying questions during the sessions.

On the first day, following brief introductions, we were invited to participate in a particularly thought-provoking exercise: we were asked to imagine speaking at a school function, explaining our research to a group of 12-year-olds in a way that would not only be accessible, but engaging. We were given ten minutes to prepare and then present our responses. This task was both challenging and illuminating — it required us to filter complex research questions into simple, meaningful language, without oversimplifying their essence. The remainder of the session consisted of a detailed presentation by Tim and Lily, covering core communication strategies for engaging with the media and the general public. These skills, while framed in a media context, were clearly applicable to a range of academic and professional situations — from conference presentations and viva examinations to stakeholder engagement and policy translation. The facilitators also shared examples of academics who have successfully communicated their research through public platforms such as radio, television, podcasts, and print media.

The second day of the workshop focused on applying the techniques learned in practice interviews. We were divided into two small groups, each led by either Tim or Lily. I was part of Tim’s group. Each participant was interviewed individually in two rounds: a brief three-minute interview followed by a more in-depth ten-minute one. These interviews were recorded and then reviewed collectively, allowing for group feedback and self-reflection. In the second round, Tim posed some deliberately challenging or ‘controversial’ questions relating to our research, to help us think through how to navigate potentially difficult or critical conversations.

Overall, the workshop was highly interactive and engaging. It encouraged me to think critically about how I can communicate my work, and to reflect on the assumptions I make about audience’s familiarity with academic concepts. The supportive atmosphere created by both the facilitators and fellow participants made the experience particularly rewarding. Participating in this workshop has helped me become more aware of the importance — and the challenge — of speaking about academic research in accessible terms. It was a valuable opportunity to begin developing the skills necessary for public engagement, and to gain confidence in presenting my research to wider, non-specialist audiences.

I am grateful to the NWSSDTP for sharing this workshop, and to Tim Grout-Smith and Lily Poberezhska for facilitating such a well-structured and engaging experience. I would highly recommend this workshop to other researchers — not only for the practical skills it offers, but also for the valuable space it creates to reflect on one’s own research and how best to communicate it beyond academia. It was both an instructive and refreshing opportunity to step back and consider the broader impact of our work.