It is commonly agreed upon that communication in its broad sense is essential in order to achieve impact through research. The questions that most of us often wrestle with are what do we communicate, to whom, when, through which channels and with what means. Once these questions are answered our pathway to impact is clearly and defined and potentially arguably easier followed through in practice. In this session the participants will have the opportunity to explore tools and resources that will enable them to answer these questions and build their communication and ultimately impact strategy.

Presenter: Dr Matina Tsalavouta, Research and Impact Communications and Marketing Manager. Matina joined the University of Liverpool in April 2017 and is the communications lead for the portfolio of strategic research priorities of the institution across all the three faculties. Matina is the communications representative in the University’s Research and Impact Strategy Committee and the University Industrial Strategy Steering Group. In parallel to her role at the University, Matina leads the dissemination and impact working group for the EU COST ACTION focusing on RNAi technologies and involving 21 countries. Before joining the University of Liverpool, for 4 years Matina was the Head of Communications and Public Engagement at Rothamsted Research, a strategically funded BBSRC Institute. Prior to her career in communications, Matina spent 15 years as a researcher in both fundamental and applied fish genetics research in different EU countries, including 4 years postdoctoral research at University College London, which she joined as an EU Marie Curie Fellow. Through her career that spans more than 20 years, Matina has consolidated experience of how strategic communications support the delivery of impact at multiple levels (e.g. project, programme, institutional) and through many routes including knowledge exchange and commercialisation of research, strategic partnerships, policy engagement, public engagement and others. Email: matina.tsalavouta@liverpool.ac.uk

Refreshments: Tea/Coffee will be provided.

The following elements of the Making an Impact 2019 Framework are relevant to this session:

Impact Clusters: Making an Impact on Society; Making an Impact on the Environment or Quality of Life; Making an Impact on Culture; Making an Impact in Health; Making an Impact on Public Policy or Services; Making an Impact on the Economy; Making an Impact beyond Academia - In order for researchers to achieve impact through the activities above it is essential to communicate effectively with the relevant audiences, conveying targeted messages at the right time, through the right channels/ways. Acquiring the tools and knowledge to develop a communications strategy that is bespoke to the individual needs of the particular research will enable the researchers to be more effective in all of the above.

Knowledge and Skills Axis: Research partnerships; Working with business; Working with the public and third sector; Skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship; Public and community engagement - In order for researchers to achieve impact through the activities above it is essential to communicate effectively with the relevant audiences, conveying targeted messages at the right time, through the right channels/ways. Acquiring the tools and knowledge to develop a communications strategy that is bespoke to the individual needs of the particular research will enable the researchers to be more effective in all of the above.

The Researcher Development Framework (RDF) attributes developed during this session are relevant to the following sub-domains: Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities: A1, A2, A3; Personal Effectiveness: B2, B3; Research Governance and Organisation: C2, C3; Engagement, Influence and Impact: D1, D2, D3

Stay in Touch: For the latest news and information about Making an Impact 2019, resources & research staff development opportunities, follow @LivResearcher & @LivUniAcademy on Twitter and the hashtag #unilivimpact19. Further details about other sessions during Making an Impact 2019 can be found at: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/researcher/making-impact/

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Walking down the pathway to impact with everything in hand: developing your communications strategy