Episoder
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/29-lisa-and-wade
Looking to make 2025 your most impactful year yet? Prof Lisa Given and Dr Wade Kelly share practical tips for planning ahead to make impact manageable - from carving out time in your calendar to building the right relationships.
Lisa is Director of RMIT's Social Change Enabling IMPACT platform, and Wade is a Senior Lecturer in Deakin University's Researcher Development Academy. Together, they unpack how researchers can balance career progression with their impact goals, and tap into opportunities within their university.
"It's about understanding how organisations work. Most people can only see one system below them, one system above them, maybe two. So if you're within a lab, you might understand your school and faculty, but you really aren't looking at what's going on in the university. Keeping abreast of all of those levels to be an empathetic researcher is important because it'll allow you to pitch your work in ways that respond to those different levels." – Dr Wade Kelly
This episode is essential listening for any researcher wanting to make impact a sustainable, practical part of their work. From protecting your time to building the right relationships, Lisa and Wade offer actionable advice you can start implementing today.
Our conversation covers:How to carve out time and energy for impact when juggling multiple commitments
Balancing career progression goals with impact goals
Finding and creating opportunities within your university
Protecting your time and learning to say "no"
Building relationships that support your impact goals
Making impact work manageable and sustainable
Planning for the year ahead while staying flexible
The importance of face-to-face connections
Finding your community and support network
Find Dr Wade Kelly online:Linked In — https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-kelly/
Bluesky — https://bsky.app/profile/wadekelly.com
Find Prof Lisa Given online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagiven/
Bluesky — https://bsky.app/profile/lisagiven.bsky.social
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/28-reema-harrison
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Prof Reema Harrison on how to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the entire research process — from study design to dissemination.
Prof Harrison leads a program of research at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, focusing on how increasing stakeholder engagement can contribute to improved healthcare quality, experiences, and outcomes, and she has published extensively on the use of peer support, mentorship, and co-design approaches to create impactful change in healthcare.
We discuss practical strategies for building diverse research teams, effectively engaging with various communities, and ensuring that your research outputs are truly relevant and impactful.
"Diversity, inclusion, impact, stakeholder engagement are all part of a research approach. They're not something to add on after you've designed a project. They are how you develop work and a program of work and sustain it." — Dr Reema Harrison
If you’re a researcher committed to making your work more inclusive and impactful, or if you’re part of a research organisation looking to better support DEI in your projects, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice!
Our conversation covers:Why meaningful co-design and stakeholder engagement should start from the very beginning of a research project
Practical strategies for building diverse research teams and why diversity in the research team matters
The importance of ongoing stakeholder relationships and community engagement as standard practice, and how it contributes to improved outcomes
Approaches for effectively engaging with diverse communities, ensuring their voices are heard and respected
Practical advice on handling conflicts and power dynamics in diverse teams and stakeholder groups
The role of research institutions in supporting DEI initiatives
Tips for early career researchers on building networks and engaging with diverse stakeholders
How to use peer support, mentorship, and co-design methods to foster inclusivity in research
How to navigate challenging conversations and build emotional intelligence in research settings
Ensuring that research outputs are relevant and impactful for all community groups, not just the majority.
Challenges researchers may face when trying to embed DEI into their work and how to overcome them.
Resources:CanEngage project website
“Providing review and feedback as a co-author – a guide for consumers“
“Visual summary of a national analysis about multicultural consumer engagement practices“
“Audit for Consumer Engagement (ACE) Tool“
Find Dr Reema Harrison online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/reema-harrison/
Macquarie University — https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/reema-harrison
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/27-david-crisante
Apply for David’s Science Comedy Program
Looking to build stronger research partnerships and make your work more accessible? Science comedy expert David Crisante shares how strategic humour can help you connect with stakeholders, improve team dynamics, and boost your impact.
David brings a unique perspective to research communication, combining his experience as director of both Future Science Talks and the Sydney Comedy School. His groundbreaking Science Comedy Program has helped over 200 researchers from across Australia master storytelling techniques and develop their public speaking skills through comedy.
Through this pioneering program, researchers have gone on to feature in major arts festivals across Australia, transforming the way they communicate their work to diverse audiences. David's approach draws on his extensive career experience as a journalist, diplomat, and crisis response specialist, including time as a speechwriter for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
"When we talk about humor, we actually want to make that person feel stimulated, excited, like they're finding a new connection... because that then can lead to a whole bunch of other doors opening." – David Crisante
This episode is essential listening for any researcher looking to make their work more approachable and build stronger professional relationships. Whether you're preparing for a conference presentation, trying to improve team dynamics, or looking to engage better with stakeholders, David offers practical techniques you can start using today.
Our conversation covers:Why comedy skills are valuable for researchers and science communicators
The role of humor in building authentic connections and partnerships
Using comedy techniques to improve public speaking and presentations
How to modulate status effectively in professional settings
Strategies for making your research more relatable and engaging
Techniques for fostering positive team dynamics through humor
The importance of preparation and practice in public speaking
How to adapt humor for different cultural contexts
Tips for finding your authentic comedic voice
Building confidence through comedy training
Using humor to make complex research more accessible
Balancing professionalism with personality
Find David online:https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcrisante
https://www.davidcrisante.com
https://www.futuresciencetalks.com.au
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/25-dr-julius-wesche
Check out Julius’ free email course here! https://juliuswesche.kit.com/6190218e2e
Not sure where to start with social media? Dr. Julius Wesche gives us a masterclass on how to build a powerful online presence and boost your research impact while doing it.
Julius is a researcher based at the Norwegian university of science and technology, who's an expert in science communication — especially when it comes to leveraging social media and podcasts for research comms.
He regularly shares amazing tips for researchers on his LinkedIn profile, and he's the host of three great podcasts: the science communication accelerator podcast, the NTNU’s energy transition podcast, and the enPower podcast (which has more than 800,000 listens).
“Attention is the prerequisite for impact. And if you want to have impact, you have to make your stuff available. And I think social media right now is the cheapest way of doing that.“ – Julius Wesche
This episode is a must-listen for any researcher looking to expand their reach online. From tailoring content for different platforms to analysing key metrics that matter, Julius offers practical advice you can start implementing today.
Our conversation covers:Why having an online presence is essential for researchers today
How to get started with social media as a researcher, even if you're a beginner
Building your social media strategy incrementally (and keeping it alive)
How to define and prioritise the key audience for your research communication efforts.
Tailoring content to different platforms: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and beyond
Practical tips for making sure your social media strategy is practical and sustainable
Coming up with great hooks for your posts/content
Tracking metrics
Common mistakes researchers make on social media (and how to avoid them)
Find Dr Julius Wesche online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-mukurumbira-68314798
Science Communication Accelerator Podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-communication-accelerator-scicomx-scicomm-social/id1583294091
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uO8pxtd1vL7zHBIa7NVpk?si=7ef2b4f0b5014ab6
Things mentions:“Do things that don’t scale” by Paul Graham
“Steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon
“Document, don’t create” by Gary Vaynerchuk
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/25-michlle-chen
Video games for research?!? Dr Michelle Chen explains how games can be powerful tools for knowledge mobilisation, and how you can get started making them.
Michelle has a PhD in design from RMIT University and she's the founder of Mental Jam, a platform for sharing lived experiences of mental health struggles through video game co creation.
She shares insights on why researchers should consider video games as a medium for translation and dissemination, and provides a step-by-step guide on how to create games from research — even if you're not a coder or designer.
"Unlike traditional media, which is like TVs or movies or books, where you're just reading something and consuming something passively, the interactive nature video games really helps people become more immersed… You can go even deeper, and really break things down, and see how you can find common things from games that can be applied to your research and help people learn it in a more fun way." — Michelle Chen
This episode is a must-listen for any researcher looking to make their work more engaging and accessible. Even if you’ve never considered making a game before, Michelle offers practical advice on how to get you started.
Our conversation covers:Why video games are an effective medium for research dissemination
How to start designing a game based on your research
The benefits of co-design and participatory research in game development
Practical steps for researchers with no game development experience
How to find collaborators for your game project
Platforms for distributing your finished game
The pros and cons of the startup route versus traditional academic pathways
Find Dr Michelle Chen online:Mental Jam — https://purplelilgirl.com/mentaljam
Michelle’s website — https://purplelilgirl.com
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/purplelilgirl
Things mentioned:Twine (for narrative games)
Yarn Spinner
Unity game engine
Itch.io (game distribution platform)
Games for Change Festival
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/24-jennifer-becket-eloise-faichney
We dive into the worlds of marketing and pop culture with Dr. Jennifer Beckett and Dr. Eloise Faichney. They share lessons from industry that researchers can apply to engage the public, boost their research visibility, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Jen and Eloise are both lecturers in media and comms at the University of Melbourne who spent time out in the industry before becoming academics.
They were key figures behind the Swiftposium, a hybrid academic conference on the cultural impact of Taylor Swift, which garnered media attention from outlets like the BBC, CNN, Rolling Stone, Marie Claire, and more.
Together, we unpack the lessons they learned on how to make research resonate with broader audiences, leveraging pop culture to spark interest and communicate complex ideas in engaging ways.
Whether you're aiming to connect with the public or build meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples to help you amplify your research.
Our conversation covers:How researchers can apply marketing and media strategies to engage the public and increase visibility
The importance of agility, creativity, and playfulness in academic communication
How to bridge the gap between professional staff and academics
Strategies for effective interdisciplinary collaboration
Lessons learned from organising the viral Swiftposium
Tips for researchers on crafting their career narrative
The value of being open to unexpected opportunities
How to balance academic rigour with public engagement
Supporting early-career researchers with media training to amplify their impact
Find Dr. Jennifer Beckett and Dr. Eloise Faichney online:Jen — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/686177-jennifer-beckett
Eloise — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/825855-eloise-faichney
Swiftposium — https://swiftposium2024.com
Things mentioned:Swiftposium Pursuit articles: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/topics/swiftposium
Professor Skye reviews: Run The Jewels, JPEGMAFIA, Billy Woods, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/23-dr-agnes-mukurumbira
Let's take a deep dive into the art of condensing complex research into presentations that are both concise and compelling. Dr. Agnes Mukurumbira — winner of the 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Asia-Pacific Final and People's Choice — shares her journey to success and breaks down her winning presentation.
Agnes is the co-founder of the startup Food Protect and a researcher at Deakin University's CASS Food Research Center. She discusses how winning the 3MT has opened doors and shaped her career, and takes us through the storytelling techniques that have helped with her 3MT and beyond. We break down her 3MT moment-by-moment, pulling out practical takeaways you can apply to your own research communication.
Whether you're preparing for a competition like the 3MT, honing your elevator pitch, or simply looking to communicate your research more effectively to laypeople, this episode offers invaluable insights on making your work more accessible.
Our conversation covers:The impact of winning the 3MT on Agnes's career and visibility as a researcher
Agnes’ process of preparing for the 3MT, including key storytelling techniques
Strategies for explaining complex scientific concepts to non-specialist audiences
How to structure a compelling short presentation
The importance of relatability and using analogies in science communication
Balancing technical details with broader impact in presentations
Tips for presenting to both live audiences and on camera
The value of the competitions like the 3MT in developing crucial science communication skills
Find Dr Agnes Mukurumbira online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-mukurumbira-68314798
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/21-nicholas-van-dam
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Professor Robert Fitzgerald, on how to incorporate human-centred design into your research practices to boost impact for the communities you’re hoping to serve.
Rob has held several leadership roles, including as the Head of the Canberra School of Professional Studies at UNSW, Pro Vice Chancellor of Education Strategy at Charles Darwin University, and Director of the University of Canberra's Inspire Centre for Innovation in Education and Training.
With over 35 years of experience in education and digital transformation, Rob is passionate about human-centred design. In this episode, we explore how to move beyond just filling out a couple of paragraphs in a grant application to actually working with communities to ensure your research not only provides the right solutions but also tackles the right questions.
Rob shares insights from international collaborative projects, illustrating the importance of listening, empathy, and co-design in research. We also discuss how to uncover the impact metrics that truly matter to the communities you’re working with, and how to keep engaging with them throughout the project to ensure you’re on the right track.
If you’re a researcher looking to make a real difference with your work, or if you’re part of a team aiming to bridge the gap between research and community needs, this episode is packed with practical insights and strategies that can help you achieve more meaningful and impactful outcomes.
Our conversation covers:The importance of human-centred design in research and how it can significantly enhance the impact of your work.Moving beyond basic grant application requirements to fully engage with the communities your research aims to serve.How human-centred design requires researchers to stop talking and start asking questions, truly listening with empathy and curiosity.Strategies for effective listening and empathy in research settings, especially when working with diverse and international communities.The participatory and collaborative nature of HCD, involving not just community representatives but also other researchers and organizations.The role of co-design in formulating research questions that are truly relevant to community needs.Uncovering and understanding the impact metrics that matter most to the communities involved in your research.The importance of having fun and making sure everyone feels respected and actively involved during research engagements.Techniques for maintaining ongoing engagement with community partners throughout the research project.Insights from Rob’s international collaborative projects, highlighting real-world applications of human-centred design.The ethical considerations and challenges of conducting research that is both respectful and impactful.Find Prof Robert Fitzgerald online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertnfitzgerald
Mentioned in the episode:Gavin Blake, scribe — https://gavinblake.com.au -
View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/21-nicholas-van-dam
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Associate Professor Nicholas Van Dam on how he raised $10M in philanthropic funding for the University of Melbourne's Contemplative Studies Centre.
Nicholas shares how he reframed his thinking to land that significant donation, and we discuss the importance of diversifying your funding portfolio, building connections with the right people, and effectively pitching your vision to potential donors.
If you’re a researcher or part of a research organisation looking to tap into philanthropic funding, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies you can apply to your own work.
Our conversation covers:Strategies for reframing your thinking to attract significant donations.
The importance of diversifying your funding sources and not relying solely on traditional grants.
How to build and maintain connections with potential donors and key stakeholders.
Listening and self-reflection — the importance of listening to potential donors and understanding their priorities while also reflecting on your own passions and long-term satisfaction before committing to funding agreements.
The value of dedicating time to develop the necessary skills for securing funding and taking meetings, even when uncertain about the outcomes.
Effective pitching techniques to communicate your vision and its impact compellingly.
The role of media appearances in building your reputation and increasing your visibility to potential donors.
The significance of surrounding yourself with the right people, seeking mentorship, and consciously building a strong, supportive team.
Tips on leveraging your existing networks to open doors to new funding opportunities.
Find A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam online:https://www.nicholastvandam.com
UniMelb — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/796489-nicholas-van-dam
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-van-dam-7784a85/
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/20-jo-antoniades
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Dr Jo Antoniades on how to conduct community engagement that builds real and authentic trust.
Jo is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Aging Research Institute in the Division of Social Gerontology, and is a colleague of Professor Bianca Narth, who featured in episode 14.
In today’s episode, we expand on that discussion by delving into the intricacies of co-designing with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
We explore why it’s crucial to involve community members right from the start, how to build authentic relationships, and the logistical challenges researchers might face. Jo shares invaluable insights on maintaining long-term relationships, the power of using the right language, and why employing bilingual research assistants can make a significant difference.
If you’re interested in enhancing your community engagement, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips you can start applying today!
Our conversation covers:The importance of involving community members from the beginning of the research process
Strategies for making the first contact with multicultural communities
Building authentic and long-lasting relationships with community partners
Practical tips for overcoming logistical challenges in community engagement
The importance of understanding the motivations of partner organisations
Ensuring mutual benefit in community-researcher collaborations
The role of language and terminology in effective communication
Ethical considerations in engaging with diverse communities
The benefits of employing bilingual research assistants to bridge cultural gaps
Approaches for maintaining trust and ongoing relationships with community partners
Best practices for co-designing research projects with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Find Dr Jo Antoniades online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefine-antoniades-77a74b67
NARI — https://www.nari.net.au/dr-josefine-antoniades
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/19-megan-munsie
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Prof Megan Munsie on “owning your research” — taking control over the way your research is presented and discussed in public forums.
Megan is a renowned expert in stem cell research who has dedicated her career to exploring the ethical, legal, and social implications of this cutting-edge field. She currently works with the University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine. She’s also a board member of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, the current president of the Australasian Society of Stem Cell Research, and her work has influenced policy reforms and the development of educational resources for over a decade.
In our conversation, we use the development of stem cell research as an example to explore why its so important to “own your research” and find the right balance between hype and hope.
Whether you’re a veteran working in a controversial research field, or an ECR just getting started with comms and engagement, if you’ve ever been frustrated by the significance of your work either being overhyped or underplayed, this episode is a must-listen!
Our conversation covers:Proactively managing the narrative around your research
Tailoring your message for different audiences
Strategies for early career researchers to build confidence in public engagement
The role of mentorship and collaboration in shaping a research career
Managing the story of your career
Stakeholder mapping
Techniques for effective science communication and public engagement
Engaging with controversial research topics responsibly
Find Prof Megan Munsie online:LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-munsie-27013136
University of Melbourne — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/379400-megan-munsie
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute — https://www.mcri.edu.au/researcher-details/megan-munsie
Find Chris Pahlow online:Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips, on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/18-geoff-paine
Today's episode is a deep dive with Geoff Paine, senior content curator at BehaviourWorks Australia.
Geoff is an actor and writer who’s entertainment industry experience includes acting on shows like Neighbours and running a studio producing corporate content for major Australian organisations. He now brings his wealth of experience to BehaviourWorks Australia, focusing on creating engaging and impactful content.
In this episode, Geoff shares insights on how to design interactive experiences for impactful engagement. Drawing on his extensive background in storytelling and performance, he discusses the importance of making research communication engaging, interactive, and memorable. Geoff provides practical tips and innovative strategies for researchers to enhance their presentations and public engagements.
Whether you're a researcher, educator, or professional communicator, this episode is packed with valuable insights on using interactivity to drive engagement and impact!
Our conversation covers:Practical tips for making complex research accessible and engaging
Designing interactive elements to enhance presentations and workshops
Techniques for storytelling and theatrical methods to engage audiences
Practical steps for planning and delivering interactive presentations
The importance of vulnerability in effective communication
Strategies for overcoming public speaking anxiety
Conducting simulation training for behaviour change within organisations
Find Geoff Paine online:https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-paine-5ba0248
https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/team/geoff-paine
https://www.monash.edu/msdi/about/people/professional/geoff-paine
Find Chris Pahlow online:Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
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View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips, on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/17-bonnie-johnson-and-anna-dennis
Today's episode is a deep dive with Bonnie Johnson and Anna Dennis from the Academy of Social Sciences.
Bonnie is the Academy's Communications Director with over 15 years of diverse experience in comms and marketing, specialising in not-for-profits. Anna is the Academy's Communications Manager with an honours in sociology and experience in the NGO space.
Over the last four years, Bonnie and Anna have achieved incredible things for the Academy, including the Seriously Social podcast reaching more than 100,000 downloads in three years and increasing the Academy's newsletter open rate from 12% to 47%.
In this episode, we use these initiatives as case studies to explore how Bonnie and Anna transformed the comms and engagement approach at the Academy of Social Sciences.
Whether you're the leader of a research org, a professional staff member, or an individual researcher, this episode is packed with actionable insights for boosting your reach!
Our conversation covers:Setting clear goals for communications strategies
Identifying and understanding your target audience
Developing effective newsletters with high open rates
Creating and refining podcast content
Building and managing an effective communications team
Building trust in comms roles
Implementing and adapting communications strategies
Tracking metrics and providing regular progress reports
Leveraging technology and tools for efficient communication
Find Bonnie and Anna online:https://socialsciences.org.au
Find Chris Pahlow online:Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
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View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/16-prof-greg-ogrady
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Prof Greg O’Grady, a professor of surgery at the University of Auckland who has successfully made the transition from academia to the world of startups.
Greg is the co-founder and CEO of Allimetry. We previously had Hanie Yee, Allimetry's COO, on the show to discuss the nuts and bolts of research commercialization. Building on that discussion, Greg gives us a first-person account of what it was like to make the move, and shares invaluable insights about navigating the unique challenges and opportunities that come with bringing academic innovations to the commercial market.
If you're an academic contemplating a venture into the startup space, this episode is a must-listen!
Our conversation covers:
Challenges and strategies for academics transitioning to the startup environment
Communicating your vision clearly and persuasively to potential investors.
Early market validation to guide product development
Finding and defining your company's narrative.
Tailoring your messages to meet the specific needs and perspectives of various stakeholders.
Techniques to motivate and align your team towards common goals
Celebrating wins and maintaining morale within the team.
Adopting a quarterly approach to strategy to stay agile and responsive.
The benefits and challenges of having a co-founder.
Tracking metrics and keeping the team updated with regular progress reports
Find Greg online:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-o-grady-b9520353
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/greg-ogrady
https://www.alimetry.com/our-team
Find Chris Pahlow online:
Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
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View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/15-elizabeth-davie
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Elizabeth Davie, the coordinator of the University of Melbourne’s Complex Human Data Hub and an accomplished comedy performer, director, and teacher.
Elizabeth shares her insights on the critical role of playfulness in research communication and engagement. She brings unique perspectives from her experience in clowning, improv, and stand-up comedy, emphasising how these art forms can transform workplace culture and enhance researchers’ communication skills.
Join us as we explore how playfulness can lead to more authentic, engaging, and memorable research presentations and why it’s essential to incorporate fun into our professional lives.If you have an important presentation, conference, or meeting coming up, this episode is a must listen! Elizabeth provides incredibly powerful and granular tips on how to be present and get in touch with your body during high stakes communications and engagements.
Our conversation covers:
The role of playfulness in professional settings and why it matters.
Elizabeth’s journey into clowning and how it influenced her approach to teaching and communication.
Practical tips for researchers to get comfortable with failure and use it to their advantage.
Techniques for becoming more present during presentations — including breathing, how to deal with nervous energy, and what to do right before you step on stage.
How to be playful about serious topics.
The importance of curiosity and how to foster it in your daily work.
Strategies for incorporating play and fun into research organizations to improve team dynamics and productivity.
Elizabeth’s insights on creating engaging and effective communication through humor and play.
Find Elizabeth Davie online:
Elizabeth’s Website
Elizabeth’s Online Stand-Up Skillshare Course
Find Chris Pahlow online:
Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
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View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/14-prof-bianca-brijnath
Today's episode is a deep dive with Professor Bianca Brijnath, the director of social gerontology at the National Aging Research Institute.
With over $24 million in research funding, much of it focused on cultural diversity, Professor Brijnath leads the Moving Pictures project, the largest website in the world for curating multilingual resources about dementia in various formats, from videos to comics.
Our conversation explores the critical importance of engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) audiences in research dissemination. Bianca also shares insights on the benefits of using different mediums and the significance of co-designing with your audiences to achieve meaningful and impactful communication.
Our conversation covers:
The importance of engaging with CALD communities
Benefits of co-designing with communities
Responding to feedback from different cohorts
Managing iterations in project development
How institutions can engage more with multicultural communities
Choosing the right medium for your message
Starting with the community for impactful communication
The significance of inclusive science and messaging
Find Prof Bianca Brijnath online:
Bianca Brijnath on LinkedIn
National Aging Research Institute
Find Chris online:
Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research Website
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View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/13-dr-yee-lian-chew-on-becoming-the-worm-lady-and-comms-advice-for-emcrs
Today's episode is a deep dive with Dr Yee Lian Chew.
If you google her, you're likely to come across left-of-field descriptions like Worm Wrangler, Worm Nerd, and Worm Lady — because she's the head of the Chew Worm Lab at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute.
In addition to her day job, she's a passionate science communicator. She was part of the superstars of STEM 2022 cohort. She's appeared on ABC Science and given public lectures at great events like National Science Week.
Today, we're going to be exploring Yee Lian's experience as an EMCR who's passionate about building communication skills, both in terms of comms and engagement efforts with the public as well as in terms of becoming a leader in research.
Our conversation covers:
Becoming "the worm lady"
Tapping into people's curiosity
Finding the joy in your science
Defining and following your values
Investing in being a better communicator
Institutional support for science communication
Communicating about basic research and the scientific process
Making your science relatable
Uniting your team
Embracing feedback
And a whole lot more...
Find Dr Yee Lian Chew online:
https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/yeelian.chewhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yee-lian-chew-739440bahttps://chewwormlab.wordpress.com Find Chris Pahlow online:Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
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View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/12-dr-mark-boulet
Today's episode is a deep dive with Dr Mark Boulet.
Mark is the Environment Portfolio Lead for BehaviourWorks Australia, which is based in the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, and it's the largest applied behaviour change research unit in Australia.
So far on this show, we've talked a lot about communicating and engaging with different types of stakeholders and audiences. But it's one thing to get people to understand your research, to know something new, but what if you want them to do something new? What if you want to actually change their behavior?
This is exactly what Mark and I discussed in today's episode.
Our conversation covers:
Changing behaviour ≠ increasing understanding
A 101 breakdown of behaviour change
Changing the behaviour of a group of people
Being more targeted
Taking advantage of industry partnerships
How institutions can help
When to call in the experts
Find Dr Mark Boulet online:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-boulet-78a65846/?originalSubdomain=auhttps://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/team/mark-boulethttps://www.monash.edu/msdi/about/people/research/mark-bouletResources:
BehaviourWorks INSPIRE frameworkhttps://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/blog/inspired-communicationsFind Chris Pahlow online:Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research
Credits:
Hosted and produced by Chris Pahlow
Edited by Laura Carolina Corrigan
Consulting Producers Maia Tarrell and Michelle Joy
Quotes:
"I think even a researcher just taking a little bit of time to inform themselves around how humans tick can give them some insights around how they communicate their research. And that's really at the heart of it."
"One of the things that we often say at Behaviour Works, particularly when we're working with research partners or when we're teaching courses is, you are not your target audience. What motivates you is more than likely not gonna motivate the people that you're engaging with..."
"If you want someone to take up a behaviour, make it easy for them to do so. Make it attractive so they can see the benefits to themselves. Make it social and make it timely."
"It could even be being a little bit more target about when people may actually be paying attention to the thing that you're interested in... This is why a lot of groups talk to people about a particular issue on days, you know, biodiversity day or forest appreciation day or all that sort of stuff. It's because you know that you've got a greater chance of talking to people about your issue when they're actually paying attention to it. "
"We often talk about, we need to create culture shift within an organisation or we need to create a social norm around this sort of thing. You can't create a social norm within a day, right? A social norm is a cumulative thing. And I would say that's the same thing with amplifying research, right? It's a cumulative thing. And most of your guests, you know, when you listen to their stories, it's been repeated attempts to engage, and then as a result, they've had an impact, right? And it's been a big, exciting impact, but it's very rarely just, wow, they just got up one morning and thought I'm going to be really impactful, right?"
"Sometimes with these research partnerships, and suspect it's also when it comes to questions around communicating and amplifying research, we need to take our research hats off sometimes... And realise that the things that motivate your colleagues in the discipline, the things that motivate the reviewers of your papers, the arguments that you have and the things that make you get very excited at conferences are probably the things that are going to bore and annoy the people that are outside of your discipline."
"As a general idea, you know, even being a little bit more nuanced in how universities see and define impact could be helpful. You know, we have this sort of general expectation that we need to be impactful, but what does that mean? Is impactful a conversation article that you've had half a dozen comments on? Or is being impactful the fact that you've worked with a community organisation for two years and you've generated a number of useful reports for them? A little bit more nuance around how we understand and define impact within the university sector, and then obviously how we recognise it... I think the university sector and the research sector talks good game around impact. And yet still it's the traditional metrics of research income and publication that gets you promoted."
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View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/11-amy-bugeja
Today's episode is a deep dive with Amy Bugeja, Manager of Engagement and Strategy at the Contemplative Studies Centre at the University of Melbourne.
In 2019 the University awarded her the Excellence in Engagement award for the development of PsychTalks, the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences forum for ideas and discussion.
Our conversation covers:
The importance of engagement
Attracting donors
The importance of close relationships between researchers and comms/engagement staff
Using different formats/mediums for different types of people
Communicating your team's mission
Interdisciplinary communication and collaboration
The benefits of decentralising support teams
Find Amy Bugeja online:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-bugeja-0151412bContemplative Studies Centre https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/CSCPsychTalks Podcast https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/engage/psychtalks/podcastsFind Chris online:
https://www.amplifyingresearch.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispahlow -
View the full show notes on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/10-hanie-yee-on-commercialisation
Today's episode is a deep dive with Hanie Yee, an industry leader with over 23 years of international experience working in the commercialisation for biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries.
Right now, she's the COO of Alimentary, which is a digital health and diagnostic devices startup based in Auckland. And she's also involved in helping researchers get into the startup space.
She's an investment committee chair of the MedTech and Surgical Committee for Return on Science. This is a national research commercialisation program in New Zealand, that leads the establishment of best practice to deliver new research to market from universities research institutes and private companies as well. On top of that and the many other amazing things she does She's a judge and mentor for velocity, which is the university of Auckland's innovation and entrepreneurship program...
Our conversation covers:
How commercialisation can lead to impactDefining your pitch and problem statementTalking about IPFinding common ground between you and your stakeholdersThe importance of authenticityDefining and talking about strategyAnd a whole lot more...Find Hanie Yee online:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanieyhttps://returnonscience.co.nz/hanie-shahpari-yeehttps://www.alimetry.com/our-teamFind Chris online:
https://www.amplifyingresearch.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispahlow - Se mer
