Writing for the public can complement academic papers and help researchers achieve different goals and reach new audiences. Writing for the public can shape public discourse and influence policy makers, business, and civic leaders. Despite the many benefits of writing for the public, measuring the impact of mainstream publications can be complicated. The size and composition of an outlet's overall audience can give a sense of an article's potential reach. Social media tracking tools can reveal how many impressions or shares an article had and help determine which of the research communication efforts are most effective at reaching the desired audiences.
Author: Diana Brazzell
Originally published on Inside Higher Ed on Sep 28, 2021