OK. Let's cut to the chase. How can scientists get their stories heard? Is there anything in place already? Does the Media Expert Group have this in hand?
Imagine a scientist has does some work that has been recently published in a high impact journal ... and attracted no interest from the media. (But it is not the sort of journal a journalist would read.)
The scientist believes the implications of the work are of great relevance and importance because they suggest that conventional wisdom on a topic may be deeply flawed. It questions the work and assumption of most of his/her esteemed colleagues so there is a danger that people is his/her field will decide to ignore it.
Because of the complexity (and danger of ruffling feathers) the story needs to be told carefully. It can't be put in a quick press release. So going to the university press office is not an option.
Let's assume that this scientist is not a wacko and the story really is important. Could this hypothetical humble scientist get access to the "media gatekeepers"? If so, how?
Lesley Newson
**********************************************************************
1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
send an email to mailto:[log in to unmask] with the following message:
set psci-com nomail -- [include hyphens]
2. To resume email from the list, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the message:
set psci-com mail -- [include hyphens]
3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the message:
leave psci-com -- [include hyphens]
4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list archive, can be found at the list web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html
5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and science and society can be found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
6. To contact the Psci-com list owner, please send an email to mailto:[log in to unmask]
**********************************************************************
|