Making research open is one thing, but how do we ensure it reaches the right people?

There is an overlap between academics who make their research outputs open and those who share it with others. By doing one, it does not exclusively have to happen alongside the other, but it should. Making research outputs and supporting artefacts open has many benefits as well as ticking certain funder, REF and journal policies. More notably it can be useful to interested individuals and groups across the world who may not have had access to such research previously. This may come from For that to happen it requires a few assumptions, that people know where to find these outputs, how to effectively search for them and for them to have been indexed and archived properly. All of that said, it does not hurt to give these outputs a nudge so that they reach the right people. It is increasingly problematic trying to get evidence to those who may make best use of it and that includes local and national government as well as charities and other non-governmental organisations. For those academics actively communicating their findings in an open way it is easier but it all takes time and effort as well as support. Most notably to build the right networks, have courage to share your work and explore different creative mediums in doing so. There is no doubt that the world is a noisy place but by avoiding activities that help get your research to those who might benefit from it you are potentially only doing half a job. It is not easy and does take time, but this talk will explore some of the things you can do to make it easier as part of your open research workflow.

1. Making research open is one thing, but how do we ensure it reaches the right people? Andy Tattersall Images from Canva

2. You created a few research outputs so what next?

3. Open Access Not shared Making things discoverable Open and shared

4. https://bit.ly/3XsK5fp

5. We don’t have to share everything

6. Building pyramids

7. https://bit.ly/3ZgLZmI

8. Should we factor in communication support to research bids? Who do we pay to do this work? (Internal or consultants) How do we show value for these activities? (Impact?) Finances

9. How do we shake off Imposter Syndrome when communicating our research to the world? Do we need consent to engage in communicating our research? What support is needed when things go wrong? Confidence

10. Should academics learn how to communicate their open research? (blogs, social media, infographics, podcasts, animations, data visualisations) Should academics be supported by new roles: Open Research Specialist/Technologist? Knowledge

11. https://bit.ly/45s1NEB

12. Learning Technologist Driven by pedagogy - the approach to teaching Underpinned by technology (VLE, video, audio, image creation, web skills) Familiarity with legislation (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) Expert knowledge of assessment tools. Evidence based Agile - ability to change Understanding of unique stakeholder needs Able to work across disciplines and departments Troubleshooter - problem solver Strong communication and teaching skills Vocational - they care about what they do Business critical Research Technologist Driven by impact (societal or otherwise) Underpinned by technology (video, audio, blogs, infographics, media comms, social media, web skills Familiarity with CC licences, Open research practices and archiving (Figshare) Expert knowledge of metrics and altmetrics Evidence based - information literate Agile - ability to change Understanding of unique stakeholder needs Able to work across disciplines and departments Troubleshooter - problem solver Strong communication and teaching skills Vocational - they care about what they do A luxury (We do have impact, pure communications, media roles)

13. Alternative solution External consultants The pros Bespoke content High quality Creative The cons Very expensive (5k for an animation) May not understand or translate your research ( .co.uk ) Archiving is a problem Updating outputs is a problem

14. KNOW PH Plan To be as open and as transparent as possible Reflective in approach (Podcasts and blogs) Obtain our own NIHR email addresses and Google Drives* Archiving of appropriate outputs and communications (inc podcasts, videos, infographics) into ORDA/Figshare* Website is hosted by Google* *This allows us to transfer everything over at the end of the project or if another group takes it over

15. Coproducing research and openness Coproduction can include communications and sharing Involving members of the public helps refine messages (most academics are used to communicating academically) It has the potential to improve the impact of the work There are challenges and barriers, but also rewards.

16. FAIR Communications

17. Work in progress Hosting content on sustainable discovery platforms Producing outputs that at CC Licensed Accessible outputs We are learning all of the time

18. Doing communications differently Communications do not have to be something that just happens after you have finished the research Explore awareness days Do not be afraid to tell people about your work ‘The medium is the message’ Networks are crucial

19. Thank You https://linktr.ee/andy_tattersall