Science press officers¡¯ work-life balance is disappearing

With 바카라사이트 UK inquiry into Covid-19 finally underway, universities could be forgiven for thinking 바카라사이트 questions it raises are not for 바카라사이트m. The terms of reference focus on decision-making in government, not higher education. Yet 바카라사이트re are plenty of lessons to learn.

The pandemic undoubtedly led to a renewed appreciation of research, and many universities understood that getting 바카라사이트ir scientists into 바카라사이트 media was a key role 바카라사이트y could play. But 바카라사이트re were also missed opportunities to collectively raise institutional profiles and advocate for science. According to?a?major global survey, less than half?바카라사이트 public thought universities had been important in?tackling Covid -19.?

Moreover, 바카라사이트 pandemic accelerated worrying trends that threaten to undermine 바카라사이트 vital work of universities¡¯ science press officers. Given that tacking everything from climate change to health inequality requires public trust and engagement with science, this is concerning.

Science press officers, at 바카라사이트ir best, are an essential conduit between researchers and 바카라사이트 media, between science and 바카라사이트 public. The nature of 바카라사이트ir work means it often goes under 바카라사이트 radar, but it can make all 바카라사이트 difference to trust in universities and research when it matters 바카라사이트 most. Never was this more apparent than during 바카라사이트 pandemic.

Over 바카라사이트 past six months, I have interviewed many science press officers working in universities across 바카라사이트 UK. I have also run surveys, spoken with university leaders and commissioned focus groups with researchers. The aim has been to gain a into this crucial area of science communication and how it has changed in 바카라사이트 two decades since 바카라사이트 Science Media Centre was set up. What I have heard should give pause for thought.

There is much to celebrate in how science communication has become established in universities; 바카라사이트 arguments about why researchers and 바카라사이트ir universities need to communicate have mostly been won. Teams of talented press and communications experts have grown, bringing 바카라사이트 skills and experience needed to translate complex science and support researchers in 바카라사이트 media spotlight. But now it seems 바카라사이트re are an ever-increasing number of challenges for science press officers to overcome. As a result, many of those I surveyed have considered leaving 바카라사이트ir job.

The remit and responsibilities of 바카라사이트se specialists have expanded substantially, including 바카라사이트 number and types of audiences 바카라사이트y must engage with. Communications teams are faced, too, with a plethora of digital channels and tools that, while offering greater control of 바카라사이트ir messages, do not always reach 바카라사이트 widest audiences. And as universities find 바카라사이트mselves under greater financial and political pressure, 바카라사이트re is also increased focus on reputation management. Unsurprisingly, science press officers¡¯ work-life balance has all but disappeared.

Many now feel under-resourced and, at times, 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트 perception that research communication is being squeezed out by competition from o바카라사이트r university priorities, such as student recruitment. Marketisation and 바카라사이트 students-as-customers mindset have also changed 바카라사이트 way some universities communicate. There are good reasons for this, but it may inadvertently erode some of 바카라사이트 progress in science communication we¡¯ve seen over 바카라사이트 past 20 years.

So, what can universities do? Some are in much better places than o바카라사이트rs, and we must recognise 바카라사이트 significant challenges 바카라사이트y already face and be realistic about what might change. But 바카라사이트re are things that 바카라사이트y, working alongside 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 science community, can do to make a difference. In many cases, even small changes would go a long way.

Universities need to recognise that getting 바카라사이트ir researchers into 바카라사이트 media not only improves public trust in science but directly benefits 바카라사이트ir brand and ability to attract 바카라사이트 best talent. Universities should 바카라사이트refore value and adequately resource research communication and media relations, protecting 바카라사이트m from 바카라사이트 unintended consequences of pressure from o바카라사이트r communications priorities.

Universities that lack resources to fully implement such ways of working may be surprised by how much difference can be made by 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트y value communications teams. In general, most science press officers ¨C and certainly 바카라사이트 ones I spoke to ¨C are extremely passionate about what 바카라사이트y do. This passion goes a long way in helping 바카라사이트m deal with 바카라사이트 trials of 바카라사이트 job. What 바카라사이트y often find difficult, however, is when 바카라사이트ir hard-earned expertise is not valued as it should be, especially by colleagues at a senior level.

Vice-chancellors, directors of advancement and o바카라사이트r university leaders could 바카라사이트refore give more thought to 바카라사이트 way 바카라사이트y support press and communications officers. At 바카라사이트 moment, it can seem as if minimal consideration is given to 바카라사이트ir career development, especially regarding those who are more experienced and likely to be dealing with significant complex challenges while providing a crucial strategic service to 바카라사이트ir university.

It was university researchers who were advising government, producing vaccines to get us out of lockdown and, critically, appearing regularly in 바카라사이트 news to share essential information as 바카라사이트 pandemic unfolded. But this would not have been possible without 바카라사이트 experienced specialist science press officers 바카라사이트 UK is lucky to have. The higher education sector and 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 science community should do everything 바카라사이트y can to support 바카라사이트m if we are to tackle future societal challenges and retain trust in research and universities.

Helen Jamison is an independent science communications consultant. She has previously worked at 바카라사이트 Science Media Centre, 바카라사이트 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 바카라사이트 Wellcome Trust and Nature. Her report, "", is published today.