Day 2 of the SAPIENS Network ATC 6 was marked by opening up the course to the wider public for active participation. 

The “Research Outreach” panel discussion shed light on the dynamic interplay between academic research and real-world applications. Moderated by senior researcher Michal Kania (University of Copenhagen), the panel featured insights from esteemed professionals like Associate Professor Dr. Alexandra Andhov (University of Copenhagen), Dr. Roxana Vornicu (King’s College London and Sirbu&Vornicu Law Firm), and Dr. Carsten Hansen (SourcingHaus Research & Consulting Group), who have successfully navigated the bridge between academia and professional practice. 

Dr. Roxana Vornicu highlighted the importance of leveraging academic experience in the professional realm. She emphasized that her academic background provided the foundation for her legal career, allowing her to open a law firm solely based on her PhD expertise. An important takeaway from her talk was the persistent battle with imposter syndrome, asserting that:

“…it never truly disappears; instead, one learns to coexist with it.”

Photo credit: Regina Mosch

Associate Prof. Alexandra Andhov stressed the significance of understanding and communicating with one’s audience. She shared insights on the transformative power of podcasting and LinkedIn video recordings in making academic research more accessible and resonant. Her advice to young scholars was to always seek clarity and be cautious when sharing on social media platforms, emphasizing the permanence and potential implications of online content. Dr. Carsten Hansen shared a unique perspective, indicating that his career influenced his research direction rather than the other way around. He emphasized the symbiotic relationship between research and practice, highlighting the importance of effective communication in achieving desired outcomes. Audience questions revolved around the challenges of juggling dual roles, maintaining work-life balance, and ensuring effective communication. The panelists concurred that professionalism remains consistent regardless of the role or environment. However, the journey of a young professional isn’t just about age; it’s about experiencing uncertainties, conflicts, and growth. As Prof. Alexandra Andhov succinctly put it: 

“True professionalism lies in maintaining high standards and nurturing an insatiable desire for continuous growth and learning.”

In a workshop led by Professor Jørgen Dejgård Jensen (University of Copenhagen) and Professor Martin Trybus (University of Birmingham), participants delved deep into the art and science of crafting effective policy briefs. The essence of the session was the importance of succinct, timely, and targeted communication for maximizing policy impact and drawing public attention to research findings. Professor Trybus emphasized that policy briefs are not just another academic exercise. He noted that this unique form of communication,

“acts as the bridge between intricate research findings and impactful societal shifts.” 

Photo credit: Regina Mosch

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in hands-on activities, with PhD students collaborating in groups to draft and refine their policy briefs. Peer feedback was central to this process, fostering an environment of constructive critique and collaborative learning. 

Professor Jensen’s insights offered clarity on tailoring communication based on the target audience. Whether addressing judges, lawmakers, or practitioners, it’s crucial to ensure that the message is not only concise but also comprehensible to its intended recipients. It was reiterated that while a policy brief serves as an “appetizer” to entice its audience, it also faces the challenge of balancing brevity with depth, given the myriad of communications policymakers receive. The workshop concluded with a focus on the structure and writing style of policy briefs, underscoring the importance of a clear problem-analysis-policy framework and a plain, professional, and concise writing style.

In this workshop, marketing expert Mrs. Ayanna Coleman delved deep into the nuanced world of academic writing, addressing the pivotal challenge: how to effectively translate complex research for a broader audience. 

Central to the session were pressing introspective questions many academics grapple with: Who is the target audience? Why should they trust what I say? And what makes my insights worth their time? 

Mrs. Coleman underscored the importance of transcending these self-imposed barriers. By overanalyzing and doubting, she noted, we risk depriving both ourselves and the world of the value our work can bring. The essence of her message was to step back, introspect, and use journaling as a tool for clarity. Mrs. Coleman passionately spoke about the traps of ego, urging attendees to prioritize value over vanity. It’s less about one’s image and more about the contribution to knowledge.

Emphasizing the importance of humility and relatability, she shared invaluable writing tips. Among these was the ’15-year-old test’: if a teenager can’t comprehend your writing, it warrants a revisit.

“Ditch the jargon, opt for simplicity, and always prioritize brevity”

Beyond the mechanics of writing, Mrs. Coleman touched upon the art of making content shareable. She identified the elements that often make content resonate: emotional connections, practical insights, relatable stories, and the inherent social value of the content. 

Offering a primer on various blog post structures, from listicles to beginner’s guides, the workshop armed PhD students with tools and insights to make their academic writing more accessible and impactful. Lastly, PhD students also had an opportunity to work on curating their own biographies for different audiences. 

Photo credit: Regina Mosch

In the day’s final workshop, communication expert Emil Tarp Vang (University of Copenhagen)  illuminated the pathway for researchers to weave their intricate academic findings into compelling narratives for a wider audience. He introduced the “square of clarity,” emphasizing the need to harmonize genre, writer, medium, and purpose. While academic rigor remains central, Mr Vang highlighted the importance of aligning with journalistic standards, offering invaluable tips for interactions with the media. Key among these were understanding the journalistic angle, ensuring accurate representation of one’s quotes, and emphasizing the nuances of specific terminologies. 

Mr Vang’s workshop also delved into the universal allure of storytelling. Using the actantial model, he outlined the components of a captivating narrative: a main character, goal, helper, and opponent. He encouraged researchers to envision themselves as the ‘helper’, aiding a primary figure in overcoming challenges to achieve a desired outcome.