1. Name: Ms. Swati Singh (TERI School of Advanced Studies)
Mr. Wai Yar Lin Zin (Mahidol University)
Lecture 5: Lecture Summary for Research communication-Mr. Daniel Powell
Research communication as defined by Carter and Paulus1
is the process of communicating or trans-
lating complex research findings into a language, format and context that non-experts can under-
stand. In other words, it is narrating story in a simple language with human elements and communi-
cating to non-academic people.
One of the outcome of the research is to influence the policy makers and have solutions to have
significant impact on the public at large.The research communication finds very pertinent place in
urban planning and governance because policy makers do not necessarily understand the scientific
language. Hence, apart from academic requirement of getting it published in a journal or confer-
ence proceedings, it would also reach the common people through social media, newspapers, policy
briefs, webs and other social networking sites. The research findings should be comprehensive,
clearly communicated, and re-packaged as per the target audience.
And but and therefore (ABT) theory as suggested by Houstan-Randy Olson is very effective in inter-
preting logical and scientific findings and connecting research to peoples’ life. ABT is a very impact-
ful tool that contextualist the research findings and communicate beyond the peers. Character
driven story telling is gaining momentum these days and international organizations like United Na-
tions University emphasizes more on consensus and conservation around research for effective
communications. In the Sustainable Development Context, this type of communication finds the
centre place because of direct human links. This draw huge interest from public as well as provides
guidance to researcher to write article in a most approachable way.
1
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08afc40f0b649740008bc/2010-11_Insights-into-RC-final-
formatted.pdf
