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Outreach and communication How universities can use civic engagement and collaboration to impact their local communities as well as communicating and sharing knowledge with the public
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. How to write better awards entries
From conducting in - depth interviews to telling the whole story , Sam Russell provides top tips for crafting a compelling narrative that will appeal to awards panels
Steps to building a winning online presence for your university
The majority of students now research universities online , so this is a vital component of marketing . David Riley lays out the foundations of building a strong online presence
Don ’ t touch that dial : how to pitch and write for broadcast
Don ’ t be afraid to rework your scholarship for a mass audience . Find the narrative in your research and build relationships with commissioning editors , says …
Don ’ t forget online learning in your university marketing
University marketing often focuses on the campus experience , so what should institutions do to make prospective students aware of their online course offering ?
How to run a marketing campaign in a devolved university
Advice on co - ordinating a university - wide marketing campaign in a large , devolved organisation
How to succeed at policy engagement , part two : mapping the landscape
In the second part of her series on policy engagement , Jo Clift advises how to build a picture of the policy landscape in your area of interest and establish who to engage with
University brand communities : building reputation among different audiences
Universities are complex organisations with multiple audiences and stakeholders . How can fostering a strong brand community help their reputations to stand out …
So you want to host an international online conference ?
How hard can it be to stage an online conference ? Don ’ t you just book a whole bunch of Zooms and send out invites ? Well , yes and no . Here are five key takeaways from our …
Your starter for 10 : how can a TV quiz format help courses avoid extinction ?
With some courses struggling to recruit , John Warren explains how a University Challenge - style quiz can breathe new life into ailing degrees and empower the …
How to succeed at policy engagement , part one : define your purpose
In the first of her series on policy engagement , Jo Clift provides guidance on the importance of knowing what you ’ re trying to achieve in order to succeed
Defining impact : a shift in thinking , acting and being
What is impact ? And , more importantly , how do universities foster and measure it ? Here is a plan to raise impact awareness , literacy and readiness
How to embed service to society within the educational experience
Helen Coulshed and Jeanne Wilson discuss their experience creating an interdisciplinary “ service ” module to challenge gender inequalities in local schools
Seven strategies to turn academic libraries into social organisations
For libraries to secure their future on higher education campuses , they must embrace a model that prioritises partnerships and collaboration , says Sheila …
Being elitist about sci - comms damages science
Scientists , if you communicate only with people at your own level of expertise , how will you recruit the best and brightest , engage the public and change the world ? Kylie Ahern takes …
Creating an impactful visual abstract with no design experience
The basic principles of design offer guidelines for creating a scientific visual abstract . This guide will take you from blank space to eye - catching , easy - to - understand graphic
How to add value to research and manage intellectual property
Ensuring new knowledge has social , environmental or economic impact is an essential element of research – and of universities ’ purpose . Here , Christophe Haunold …
Work like a scientist , don ’ t sound like one
A pitch or presentation is not a full paper – and squeezing in too much detail will only alienate your audience . Here are four tips to make your research easy to understand …
How to run an effective student well - being campaign
From reaching out to the local community to making it interactive , Christina Chant offers seven tips for effectively promoting your university ’ s well - being services
Five things I learned from my trip to Parliament as an early career researcher
After getting a chance to present her PhD and postdoctoral research to politicians in Westminster , Lucy Eddy shares her five key takeaways
Business school recruitment : disrupt to diversify
A genuine commitment to championing greater equity , diversity and inclusion in business education demands a paradigm shift , says Arnold Longboy
How to build quantitative evidence of your teaching expertise
Teaching impact can be difficult to measure but by sharing insight , resources and teaching materials online , you can start to build quantitative evidence of your expertise …
Amplify the authentic student voice in university marketing
Any university can claim to be the best , but in the end , people will believe the students who study there . Here are tips on collaborating with students to create …
A DIY guide to protecting academic freedom
A guide to help faculty manage and respond to threats to their academic freedom , from understanding the source of the challenges to finding allies and resources …
Parliamentary inquiries and lobbying explained
Martin Smith offers an overview of parliamentary inquiries and lobbying for academics , looking at who is involved , how effective it can be and what results it can …
Social mobility via social media : opportunities for career services
Four practical suggestions for how university career services can make greater use of social media to support social mobility among their students
The power of events to build belonging among students
XJTLU ’ s new Entrepreneur College had to work fast to build a sense of belonging among its first student cohorts , and one way it did this was by hosting a series …
It ’ s crucial for universities to bridge the ‘ town and gown ’ divide
James Derounian considers how universities act as good neighbours to their host communities and recommends a simple exercise to break free of the …
Community - engaged learning : a pedagogic approach to civic outreach
A guide to developing community - engaged learning projects that benefit the student participants and the communities they work within , by Sonia Kumar
My experience of speaking in front of a select committee
Nicola Searle shares lessons for academics on speaking in front of a parliamentary select committee , to provide insight on topics linked to your research
Offering students a green gap year has multiple rewards
James Derounian makes the case for a gap year in which school - leavers can engage with university while tackling climate change and helping with community development
Decolonising learning through access to primary sources
Mathematicians have always looked at old problems in new ways . A database of original sources will give university - level mathematics students a global , historical view of …
Writing and presenting reports for government : five dos and five don ’ ts
A guide for academics on the dos and don ’ ts of writing and presenting research reports designed to inform policymakers
Five steps for engaging policymakers with research
Five pointers to help researchers get policymakers interested in their work , based on a guide co - created by government and academics from the University of Leeds
Being a public scientist is not an easy choice
When scholars know their data well and can see their findings being ignored , they should be comfortable enough to speak out . Here , Paul McGreevy offers advice to those …
Lessons learned in creating and using innovative social media strategies
If we aspire to enabling better educational decision - making , marketers first have to understand how , when and where prospects make those decisions
THE podcast : breaking down barriers with research and student - led campaigns
Winners of the Times Higher Education 2021 Awards discuss how their research and student - led campaigns navigate difficult and taboo topics
How to achieve PR impact with little – or no – budget
With finances squeezed across the sector , building trust and engagement – as well as relationships with partners and journalists – is crucial for PR impact , explains Tanya Wood
Tips for involving young people in research in meaningful ways
To effect real transformation , research must be carried out with young people , who should be made aware of the key role they play and knowledge they bring to the process
Clear communication as the key to international collaboration
The success of international research collaborations rests upon clear communication , writes Marian Brady as she offers advice on what this involves in practice
Tactics for revamping your comms with students front and centre
How can you stay on top of the evolving student voice and ensure it ’ s at the heart of your communications ? Kim Graakjaer shares her thoughts and some takeaway tips
Make a difference : collaboration and participation in arts - led research
Artists can ’ t solve the world ’ s problems , but they are well placed to ask questions that enable ideas and creativity to emerge . And the local knowledge of communities …
Mix technology and personal contact to support students
A sophisticated algorithm and a simple phone call have proved to be a formula for student retention . And it ’ s not stopping as the pandemic recedes , says Jonathan Powles
When refuge isn ’ t safe : uncovering real - life stories to shape policy
Human stories that feed into research can be a powerful tool for driving policy change but need careful and sensitive handling , as Lizzie Kirsch explains
Food for thought : advice for building a university - community collaboration
Planning and communication can turn good intentions into lasting benefits for students , faculty and the community . Joshua Gruver shares his advice for successful …
Tips on providing free public access to your university library
A university library should provide a gateway into the institution for surrounding communities , explains Andrew Barker , as he shares advice on creating a ‘ library …
Flip the script : why listening is the best form of outreach
In aiming to widen participation , it ’ s easy to get lost in your own passion . Instead focus on understanding others ’ needs – and keep it simple
How a sustainable internship programme can support social mobility
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds can remain on the back foot when entering the workforce . This programme offers higher education practitioners a …
So , you want to reach out ? Lessons from a ‘ science for all ’ programme
Public engagement in STEM strengthens research relevance and trust in science , but how can universities do it well ? Here , the team behind S4 give three considerations …
How to organise an event to train ambassadors of academic integrity
Engendering academic integrity in the next generation of researchers is vital for the academy – Salim Raz ı offers key takeaways from organising free academic integrity …
How to ensure college admissions are equitable and accessible
As a first - generation college student , Aimee Huffstetler knows how daunting the application process can be . Now working in enrolment , she shares advice on what …
