Join this free online training to learn more about how researchers can work with press and media.
This session will focus on the relationship between public engagement and working with press and media, exploring the ways in which your research can connect with wider audiences, and ways to promote and pitch your public engagement event or activity.
Led by Professor Sarah Churchwell and the University of London’s External Communications team, the session will offer tips on how to reach out to the media, including ideas about how to pitch your story, finding your hook, and working with your institution’s press teams.
What will be covered?
- Adapting specialist research for general audiences
- Connecting research and public engagement events to the news
- Promoting events in the press and media
- Pitching to the press and media
- Press releases
- Overview of the different kinds of press and media to reach out to
- Working with regional and local media
- Working with your institutional press and communications teams
Who should attend?
- Being Human Festival organisers
- Cultural and community organisations involved in Being Human Festival
- Researchers at HEIs and research organisations who want to learn more about working with press and media
- Public engagement professionals
This session is primarily aimed at those taking part in Being Human Festival, or those thinking of taking part in the future, but is open to all.
Professor Sarah Churchwell
Professor Sarah Churchwell is Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities and Professor of American Literature at the School of Advanced Study, University of London. She directs public engagement activity at the School, which includes Being Human Festival. A prominent advocate for literature and the humanities, she appears regularly in the media and writes for both academic and non-academic audiences. She has been a Man Booker Prize judge, received the Eccles British Library Writer’s Award in 2015, and was longlisted for the Orwell Prize for Journalism in 2021.
University of London External Communications Team
The External Communications Team at the University of London is responsible for media relations, social media and corporate communications activities, including for the School of Advanced Study.
As the University's central communications hub, the team proactively identifies newsworthy stories showcasing the research from the School, as well as staff expertise and initiatives. Their work involves managing media relations and inquiries, writing press releases that translate complex research into accessible stories and identifying opportunities for spokesperson commentary. They also drive engagement across social media by creating engaging content and building the online presence of the School. The team work closely with the Being Human Festival team to promote the national festival in the press and media, on a national and regional scale.
Joining the event
This event is free, but booking is required. It will be held online and joining details will be circulated via email to registered attendees.
This event is part of a series of Being Human Festival training sessions exploring public engagement with research. The sessions will be led by expert facilitators with experience in their field and the Being Human Festival team. While the sessions are primarily aimed at those taking part, or thinking of taking part, in Being Human Festival, they are open to all. The sessions run from February to October 2025. Sign up to each session here.
This session will be recorded. If you would like to receive a link to the recording, please sign up for the session to receive the recording link once it is available.
Accessibility information
This session will be held on Zoom and closed captioning will be available. Any resources referred to during the session will be circulated afterwards via email. Please make a note of any accessibility requirements in the booking form.
