How do you share food science research with different groups?

1 Know your audience

The first step in sharing food science research is to identify and understand your audience. Who are they? What do they know and care about? What are their goals and needs? How do they prefer to receive and process information? By answering these questions, you can tailor your message, tone, format, and delivery to suit your audience's characteristics and preferences. For example, if you are presenting to a group of fellow food scientists, you can use more technical terms and details, but if you are talking to a general audience, you might need to simplify and explain some concepts and jargon.

2 Define your purpose

The next step is to define your purpose for sharing your food science research. What do you want to achieve? What do you want your audience to learn, think, feel, or do after hearing or reading your message? How do you want to influence or persuade them? By clarifying your purpose, you can focus your message, structure your argument, and provide relevant evidence and examples. For instance, if your purpose is to inform your audience about a new food processing technique, you might want to explain how it works, what are its benefits and limitations, and how it can be applied in practice.

3 Choose your format

The third step is to choose the most appropriate format for sharing your food science research. Depending on your audience, purpose, and resources, you might opt for different formats, such as a journal article, a report, a poster, a presentation, a podcast, a blog post, a video, or a social media post. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider factors such as the length, depth, style, interactivity, and accessibility of your message. For example, if you want to reach a wide and diverse audience, you might choose a video or a social media post, but if you want to provide more details and references, you might choose a journal article or a report.

4 Use clear and engaging language

The fourth step is to use clear and engaging language to communicate your food science research. You need to avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that might confuse or alienate your audience, unless you define and explain them. You also need to use simple and concise sentences, active and positive verbs, and transitions and signposts to guide your audience through your message. Moreover, you need to use stories, anecdotes, metaphors, analogies, and visuals to illustrate your points, capture your audience's attention, and appeal to their emotions and values.

5 Provide context and relevance

The fifth step is to provide context and relevance for your food science research. You need to explain why your research is important, how it relates to the current situation and challenges, and what are the implications and recommendations for your audience and others. You also need to acknowledge the limitations, uncertainties, and ethical issues of your research, and how they can be addressed or resolved. By providing context and relevance, you can show your credibility, transparency, and accountability, as well as connect with your audience and motivate them to take action or learn more.

6 Seek feedback and improvement

The final step is to seek feedback and improvement for your food science research communication. You need to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of your message, by measuring indicators such as the reach, engagement, retention, and satisfaction of your audience. You also need to solicit and incorporate feedback from your audience, peers, mentors, and experts, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your communication, and how you can improve it. By seeking feedback and improvement, you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and confidence as a food science researcher and communicator.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?