<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div>Hi Everybody,</div><div><br></div><div>Thought you might be interested in the following thread from a listserv I subscribe to for university public relations folk, principally science writers. I actually distributed this to Editors' Club in 2003, but just found it again, and thought it worth resending (esp. since we have many new members).</div><div><br></div><div>In the first message, a science writer at the Univ. of Utah asks for advice on how to convince a balky department head that publicity is good for his department and university. In my opinion, most of the responses he gets are good.......</div><div><br></div><div>Elizabeth</div><div><br></div><div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">================================</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Elizabeth A. Thomson</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Senior Science and Engineering Editor</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">News Office, Room 11-400</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">77 Massachusetts Ave.</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">Cambridge, MA 02139-4307</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">617-258-5402 (ph); 617-258-8762 (fax)</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; "><<a href="mailto:thomson@mit.edu">thomson@mit.edu</a>></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; "><br></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; "><<a href="http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/www">http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/www</a>></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; ">================================</span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 12px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; "><br class="khtml-block-placeholder"></span></font></div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"></font></span><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"></font><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"></font></div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"></font><font class="Apple-style-span" size="4"></font></div><div><br>Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 15:12:42 -0700 (MST)<br>From: Lee Siegel <<a href="mailto:leesiegel@earthlink.net">leesiegel@earthlink.net</a>><br>Subject: NASW-PR: publicity and research funding<br><br>Dear Colleagues,<br> I am having a problem with a department chair who apparently fails to see the need for publicity on his research, doesn't understand how the embargo system works, and fails to cooperate adequately in publicity efforts, even though he chairs a department that regularly produces newsworthy research and that is probably the university department most renowned for its research among all departments at my institution.<br> This scientist recently had a newsworthy study published in a major journal. But he kept delaying being interviewed by the PR person who was supposed to write our news release. As a result, the release was issued four hours after the embargo expired, rather than being issued as an embargoed release a week ahead of time.<br> Then, when a local TV reporter asked for an interview, the scientist declined. As a result, the local TV station ran a story briefly mentioning our institution, but with a taped interview from one of the co-authors at another institution two states away.<br> As you might expect, coverage of the story was minimal.<br> This scientist made remarks to the PR person who wrote the release to the effect of, "Publicity doesn't help me get grant money, so why should I bother?"<br> Last, this department had its own PR person until last fall, and the person in that position for years was highly successful in getting lots of ink for research in the department. Despite my repeated pleas, the department chair has not filled the vacant PR position, assuming (wrongly, in my book), that the department's development person (fundraiser) should handle publicity, even though this person has zero media experience. This department is not dependent on the state budget, so I don't think the budget crisis here is a factor.<br> I am meeting with this chair Wednesday, along with others on his staff who want to change his attitude.<br> I would appreciate by the end of Tuesday any and all suggestions for convincing this guy that it is in his interest (and that of our university) to be more cooperative in efforts to publicize his work. Thanks in advance.<br><br>Lee Siegel, science news specialist<br>University of Utah Public Relations<br><br> <br><br>Lee Siegel, freelance science writer<br>6120 S. Rodeo Lane<br>Salt Lake City, UT 84121<br>home office (801) 272-3331<br>*********************************************************************<span></span>*****<br><br>------------------------------</div><blockquote type="cite" cite="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; "><br>----------------------------------------------------------------------<br><br>Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003 18:45:46 -0500<br>From: John Gever <<a href="mailto:jgever@nasw.org">jgever@nasw.org</a>><br>Subject: Re: NASW-PR: publicity and research funding<br><br>Lee Siegel wrote:<br>>This scientist recently had a newsworthy study published in a major<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>>journal. But he kept delaying being interviewed by the PR person who was<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>>supposed to write our news release. As a result, the release was issued<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>>four hours after the embargo expired, rather than being issued as an<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>>embargoed release a week ahead of time.<br>> Then, when a local TV reporter asked for an interview, the scientist<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> declined. As a result, the local TV station ran a story briefly<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> mentioning our institution, but with a taped interview from one of the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> co-authors at another institution two states away.<br>> As you might expect, coverage of the story was minimal.<br>> This scientist made remarks to the PR person who wrote the release<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> to the effect of, "Publicity doesn't help me get grant money, so why<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> should I bother?"...<br>> I am meeting with this chair Wednesday, along with others on his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> staff who want to change his attitude.<br>> I would appreciate by the end of Tuesday any and all suggestions for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> convincing this guy that it is in his interest (and that of our<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> university) to be more cooperative in efforts to publicize his work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>> Thanks in advance.<br><br>You might tell him that while publicity may not help him personally, it's<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>good for the institution. (That in turn helps him personally, but if his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>ego is as immense as your story suggests, he probably won't see it that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>way.) Appeal to his generosity -- actually an appeal to his vanity, which<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>can be quite effective in cases of immense ego. If that doesn't work,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>perhaps you can enlist someone else whose opinions he respects, or at least<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>can't ignore (like his dean or provost), to try persuading him. You should<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>definitely make sure your own superiors are aware of the problem and your<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>efforts to resolve it. Good luck.<br><br>- -john gever<br><br><br><br><br>*********************************************************************<span></span>*****<br><br>------------------------------<br><br>Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 19:21:24 -0500<br>From: Carol Cruzan Morton <<a href="mailto:carol_morton@hms.harvard.edu">carol_morton@hms.harvard.edu</a>><br>Subject: NASW-PR: RE: publicity and research funding<br><br>Hi Lee,<br><br>Is self-interest a motivating factor for him? The journals themselves want<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>to see their work in the news, and for better or worse often seems to be<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>one of the selection factors.<br><br>His citation count might do the talking. I don't have the reference on me,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>but there was a study with a clever control about 10 years ago (UCSD,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>David Philips?) that showed papers covered by media received more<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>citations.<br><br>The study looked at research covered in the NYT over two periods, one of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>which when it was being written but not distributed because the folks on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>the loading dock or some such were on strike. People have more time to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>scan the NTY science section than the dozens of worthy journals piling up<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>on their desks every week.<br><br>Problem is, that might inspire your problem person to talk only to the NYT.<br><br>How about public accountability, if he's publicly funded? How about<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>democracy, so people can make informed decisions about funding for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>such work and other civic or private decisions based on such work,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>depending on the nature of the research?<br><br>Both the NSF and NIH strongly encourage people to share their research<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>with the public so appreciation and money will keep flowing into their</blockquote><blockquote type="cite" cite="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; ">coffers in the annual budget cycle. Their public affairs and leaders,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>especially NSF, are quite vocal about this.<br><br>Joann Rodgers at JOhns Hopkins has an most excellent book on all this,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>thin and still available, and perhaps some specific tips in past issues of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>ScienceWriters online at nasw.org for dealing with different categories of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>folks.<br><br>Rick Borchelt at the Whitehead is also a good resource of data and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>persuasive methods to bolster your case.<br><br>Cheers,<br><br>Carol Morton<br><br>>------------------------------<br>><br>>Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 15:12:42 -0700 (MST)<br>>From: Lee Siegel <<a href="mailto:leesiegel@earthlink.net">leesiegel@earthlink.net</a>><br>>Subject: NASW-PR: publicity and research funding<br>><br>>Dear Colleagues,<br>> I am having a problem with a department chair who apparently fails to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>see the need for publicity on his research, doesn't understand how the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>embargo system works, and fails to cooperate adequately in publicity<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>efforts, even though he chairs a department that regularly produces<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>newsworthy research and that is probably the university department most<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>renowned for its research among all departments at my institution.<br>> This scientist recently had a newsworthy study published in a major<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>journal. But he kept delaying being interviewed by the PR person who was<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>supposed to write our news release. As a result, the release was issued<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>four hours after the embargo expired, rather than being issued as an<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>embargoed release a week ahead of time.<br>> Then, when a local TV reporter asked for an interview, the scientist<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>declined. As a result, the local TV station ran a story briefly mentioning our<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>institution, but with a taped interview from one of the co-authors at another<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>institution two states away.<br>> As you might expect, coverage of the story was minimal.<br>> This scientist made remarks to the PR person who wrote the release<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>to the effect of, "Publicity doesn't help me get grant money, so why should<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>I bother?"<br>> Last, this department had its own PR person until last fall, and the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>person in that position for years was highly successful in getting lots of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>ink for research in the department. Despite my repeated pleas, the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>department chair has not filled the vacant PR position, assuming<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>(wrongly, in my book), that the department's development person<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>(fundraiser) should handle publicity, even though this person has zero<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>media experience. This department is not dependent on the state budget,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>so I don't think the budget crisis here is a factor.<br>> I am meeting with this chair Wednesday, along with others on his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>staff who want to change his attitude.<br>> I would appreciate by the end of Tuesday any and all suggestions for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>convincing this guy that it is in his interest (and that of our university) to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>be<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>more cooperative in efforts to publicize his work. Thanks in advance.<br>><br>>Lee Siegel, science news specialist<br>>University of Utah Public Relations<br>><br>><br>><br>>Lee Siegel, freelance science writer<br>>6120 S. Rodeo Lane<br>>Salt Lake City, UT 84121<br>>home office (801) 272-3331<br>>*****************************************************************<span></span>*********<br>><br>>------------------------------<br>><br>>End of nasw-pr V7 #65<br>>*********************<br>><br>>========================================================<br>==================<br><br><br>*********************************************************************<span></span>*****<br><br>------------------------------<br><br>Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 21:19:53 -0500<br>From: Steve Bradt <<a href="mailto:bradt@pobox.upenn.edu">bradt@pobox.upenn.edu</a>><br>Subject: Re: NASW-PR: publicity and research funding<br><br>Hi, Lee -- A few thoughts ...<br><br>I think the argument that's most effective with researchers who ask,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>"Why should I bother with PR?" is to point out that nearly all<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>university research conducted in the US receives some public funding<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>- -- NSF, NIH, DOE, NASA, DARPA, ONR, etc. I would argue, and I know<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>that a lot of scientists would argue, that conducting research on the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>public dime carries with it some obligation to attempt to share<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>results with the public.<br><br>You might also point out that the kind of work that you and I do can<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>help build public appreciation and understanding of science, which<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>your scientist friend probably feels is woefully lacking in this</blockquote><blockquote type="cite" cite="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; ">country. Most people never open a scientific book after leaving high<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>school, so for better or worse, what they can absorb from their daily<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>paper may be the best we can hope for as far as keeping their<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>scientific awareness even the slightest bit fresh. And, feeding back<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>into Point No. 1 (and your researcher's view that "PR" and grants are<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>mutually exclusive), these people are among the voters selecting<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>those who set budgets for the array of agencies listed above.<br><br>That said, your guy sounds difficult enough that I would really be<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>tempted to just write him off. Before I issue a news release, I look<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>for two elements: a newsworthy story and a scientist willing to tell<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>that story to any and all comers. When you put someone out there<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>before the public and they behave like a jerk, it doesn't reflect<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>creditably on your institution -- or on the scientific profession,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>for that matter. What's more, reporters don't appreciate having<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>someone like that unleashed on them, no matter how compelling the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>research. To put it bluntly, if someone's not willing to play the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>game -- and that IS their prerogative -- I have 300 more appreciative<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>researchers with whom I could be working.<br><br>I would question one of your underlying assumptions: Much as the big<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>journals try to whip up a frenzy over their weekly embargoes, I don't<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>see anything wrong with issuing a release four hours after an embargo<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>lifts. That's still timely -- maybe not for the few embargo-crazed<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>reporters out there, but certainly for all those journalists working<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>at weekly or monthly magazines, or the many media organizations that<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>relay news 24/7. If it's really newsworthy, in almost every case<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>it'll be as much so at 6 p.m. as at 10 a.m.<br><br>Good luck! Steve<br><br>- --<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br>Steve Bradt | news officer, science and engineering<br>University of Pennsylvania | Office of University Communications<br>Sansom Place East, Ste. 200 | 3600 Chestnut St. | Philadelphia PA 19104<br>phone 215 573 6604 | pager 215 524 6272 | fax 215 898 1203<br><br>Research at Penn | <a href="http://www.upenn.edu/researchatpenn">http://www.upenn.edu/researchatpenn</a><br>*********************************************************************<span></span>*****<br><br>------------------------------<br><br>Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 19:46:33 -0500<br>From: "Alan Wachter" <<a href="mailto:awach@mycloudburst.net">awach@mycloudburst.net</a>><br>Subject: Re: NASW-PR: publicity and research funding<br><br>[snip] This scientist made remarks to the PR person who wrote the release<br>to the effect of, "Publicity doesn't help me get grant money, so why should<br>I bother?"...<br>*********<br>He should bother because publicity DOES help to get grant money. When I<br>reviewed grant requests for a foundation, clips and videotapes often were<br>appended to the submission. Some of the coverage began with university news<br>releases. Alan Wachter<br><br>*********************************************************************<span></span>*****<br><br>------------------------------<br><br>Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 20:40:50 -0700<br>From: Dave Dooling <<a href="mailto:deesqrd@hiwaay.net">deesqrd@hiwaay.net</a>><br>Subject: NASW-PR: Re: nasw-pr V7 #65<br><br>Lee:<br><br>Does this scientist get all his funding from private grant money, hence the<br>feeling that he doesn't need to explain to the public who foots the bill on<br>most other research? I am now at the National Solar Observatory (after 25+<br>years in Huntsville) and know that any NSF or NASA application requires<br>outreach & education work. If so, then he has a contractual obligation with<br>the funding agency to tell the public. If he is getting private grant<br>money, then you might check to see what P.R. is generated by others (Utah<br>or elsewhere) who are getting money from the same source.<br><br>Even if a private fund is immune to the funding roller coaster, they often<br>want to look good before their peers and the public. Howard Hughes Medical<br>does not have to put out that big, expensive, glossy magazine. That means<br>that they want people who produce newsworthy as well as journal-worthy<br>science. Popular publication conceivably could be the tie-breaker on his<br>grant renewal before private sources.<br><br>A more important consideration is that an article produced in-house and<br>approved by him serves as an accuracy benchmark for when other news stories<br>come out. When I worked at Science@NASA (96-99), we viewed our stories as</blockquote><blockquote type="cite" cite="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; ">reference points so the scientists could tell their managers, "This is what<br>I said, regardless of how AP et al screwed up." (I had just such an<br>incident last year when a double solar flare event mutated from interesting<br>coincidence to not-quite-apocalyptic proportions.) Scientists who don't<br>talk about their work are viewed with suspicion by reporters, partly<br>because they are so rare, partly because of the Cold Fusion and Raelian<br>cloning scams. If your work is real, why won't you talk about it? A lot?<br><br>Finally, publicity will help him attract smart young grad students and<br>undergrads. All things being equal, why should I work in a lab where<br>there's no glory? Sure we do this for the good of mankind and because of<br>inherent curiosity. But I like a little attention now and then.<br><br>:)<br>D2<br><br>==========================================================<br>Dave Dooling / D2 Science Communications<br>3019 Coronal Loop/P.O. Box 25<br>Sunspot, NM 88349-0025 USA<br>(505-437-2294)<br><a href="http://www.d2sci.com">http://www.d2sci.com</a><br>Pictures of our new location at <a href="http://www.d2sci.com/sac_peak">http://www.d2sci.com/sac_peak</a><br>==========================================================<br>Work:<br>National Solar Observatory<br>dooling(no spam -- insert@)nso.edu<br>(505-434-7015)</blockquote><blockquote type="cite" cite="" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; ">==========================================================</blockquote><div><br></div><x-sigsep><pre>--
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