Want to Be a Better Research Communicator? Start By Looking Inward.

Research communication can be challenging. Whether you're presenting at a community meeting, writing a blog post, or being interviewed by media, it's easy to fall back on academic jargon and one-way information delivery.

But effective research communication isn't just about explaining complex ideas clearly. It's about connecting with your audience in meaningful ways. One powerful approach to improving your research communication is through reflexivity - the practice of examining how your own position, assumptions and experiences shape your communication.

Here are five questions to ask yourself before your next research communication activity:

1. "Who am I speaking to, really?" Beyond basic demographics, think about your audience's lived experiences, values, and relationship to your research. What matters to them? What concerns might they have? How might they view you and your institution?
2. "What assumptions am I making?" Are you assuming your audience just needs more information? That they'll automatically see the value of your work? That they share your priorities? Challenge these assumptions.
3. "How does my position influence this interaction?" Consider how your role as a researcher, your institutional affiliation, and your disciplinary training might affect how your message is received. What are the power dynamics at play?
4. "What's my real goal here?" Be honest about your objectives. Are you trying to inform? Influence behavior? Get buy-in for your work? Build relationships? Build a brand? Gian notoriety? Clear goals help shape better communication approaches.
5. "Am I ready to listen?" The best research communication is often a dialogue. Are you prepared to hear different perspectives? To learn from your audience? To adapt your approach based on their responses?

These questions might seem simple, but they can impact how you communicate your research. They help move us beyond the deficit model (assuming people just need more information) toward more meaningful engagement.

Reflexive research communication should be a regular practice. Take a moment to answer these questions before you embark on any type of research communication, whether that be with your colleagues or with a public audience. You will find how your response will evolve as you become more and more aware of yourself.