Melanie Welham presents Communicating Research Beyond Academia A researchers perspective at the Patients Participate! Workshop at the British Library on 17th June 2011

1. Communicating research beyond Academia
A researchers perspective
Professor Melanie Welham
Co-Director
Centre for Regenerative Medicine
@Bath_CRM

2. My Background
• PhD in cancer cell biology
• 25+ years of research experience
• Current research focuses on stem cell biology
- how stem cells ‘renew’ themselves
- how to turn stem cells into particular cell types
• Deputy Chair of grant committee for public funder (BBSRC)
• Participated in a number of public engagement events
@Bath_CRM

3. A changing landscape
• Historical changes taking place in academic
research – impact agenda
• Previously – academic researchers reported
their results only to other researchers
• Now - greater emphasis on academics
engaging with beneficiaries
• In stem cell research patient groups are key
stakeholders
@Bath_CRM

4. Benefits of engagement
Engagement
Communication
Patients Tax payers
Young people
value of
better informed more equipped
investment
about advances to judge what it
clear
in science means to them
more likely to
participate
@Bath_CRM

5. Barriers for patients?
• Finding information
• Accessing information
• Technical language
• Complexity
@Bath_CRM

6. Barriers for Academics?
• Need to understand:
– what patients need, want and value
– optimal time for engagement
– best routes to delivery
• Patients Participate! – Lay Summaries
• Innovative solutions and guidance
@Bath_CRM