Peer-Reviewed Journals

High-quality articles written for non-scientists can attract major media coverage of your UD research. If an article you’ve written has been accepted for publication in a major journal, please contact the Research Communications Initiative in the Office of Communications and Marketing. The staff prepare and release news articles about ground-breaking UD research in accordance with each respective journal’s publishing and embargo policies.

By notifying the staff early on that your article has been accepted, you leave ample time for the staff to interview and photograph you, draft a news article, and complete the review process so that our research news story can be released from UD when your journal article is published.

Also, you may report your publications and presentations to the “For the Record” column, which is issued periodically on the UDaily news service. Submit information by emailing
Research Communications, or send it in campus mail to UDaily Editor, Office of Communications and Marketing, Academy Building, 105 E. Main St.

Media Interview Preparation

So you’ve received a call from a reporter who wants to interview you, and you are unsure of what to do…. For assistance, please contact the UD Office of Communications and Marketing. The staff there can help you decide whether or not to grant the interview or help you prepare for an interview if you could use some advice.

The staff also periodically prepares an “In the News” roundup for the UDaily news service, so a heads-up will help them keep an eye out for the article or program you’ll be appearing in.

Should You Do the Interview?

If you’re uncertain that you want to be interviewed by the media, here are some points to consider:

• What is the subject and focus of the interview, and why did the reporter
  contact you?
• Is the subject currently in the news? How controversial is the subject?
• Who is the reporter?
• What news outlet does the reporter work for, and who is its audience?
• Where and how will the interview be conducted (e.g., in person,
  on the phone, radio, video), and how long will the interview take?

Helpful Pointers

Once you’ve decided to do an interview, think about the message you want to convey. Then prepare two or three key points that deliver your message simply and succinctly — in less than 30 seconds. You can develop these by anticipating the questions you think you might be asked regarding the subject or issue. Think about how the issue and your research relate to the world we live in. What is the impact on society? Why should the public care? Taxpayers support most funded research. What return are they deriving from their investment?

During the interview, you need to talk about your research in simple terms, as if you were speaking to a seventh-grade class. Avoid acronyms, long sentences, and complex terms, and be enthusiastic. You know your research better than anyone, and this is an opportunity to share your knowledge and insights with the public.

Also be aware that there is no such thing as “off the record” when talking to the media. Stick to what you know, and don’t comment on areas outside your expertise. UD Communications and Marketing staff may be able to recommend another expert on campus if the reporter is seeking answers to questions that are outside your field.

Print Media Interviews. If you are doing an interview in person with a reporter from the print media, wear what you normally would to work. If the interview is over the phone, you may find it helpful to jot down a few notes before you begin, but don’t read off your responses.

Radio Interviews. For a radio interview, listeners will know you only by your voice, so avoid speaking in a monotone. Professionals recommend smiling to animate the voice. You may be interviewed over the phone or a mobile device, in the studio at a radio station, or in UD’s studio at University Media Services. In a studio situation, the sound engineer will do a voice check before the interview begins. Be sure to maintain the same distance from the microphone throughout the interview to keep the volume consistent.

TV Interviews. For a TV interview, the crew might want to interview you in your lab, in the field, or in their studio. TV crews typically film several stories in a day, so they likely will be moving quickly to set up cameras and prepare you with a microphone that can be threaded underneath your shirt or blouse.

• If you are standing or sitting, maintain good posture. If sitting, lean
  forward slightly.
• Where should you look during a TV interview? At the interviewer. The camera
  will be focusing on your face.
• What should you wear? If you’re being interviewed in your office or lab,
  wear what you normally would to work. If you’re being interviewed in a studio,
  wear what the reporter or talk-show host would wear. It’s important to be
  comfortable.
• Solid colors, pastel colors, or soft shades are fine. Avoid high contrasts
  like black and white, red, horizontal stripes, small checks, large or noisy
  pieces of jewelry. A burgundy scarf or tie is often suggested because it
  reflects color in the face. Make sure the scarf or tie is straight and that
  your socks are long enough to avoid a gap between your pant legs and the
  top of your socks when you sit or cross your legs.
• For television, you need to project lots of energy and, again, be
  prepared to deliver your two to three key points in interesting ways. You’re likely well-versed in engaging your students in
  class. Think about the point, statistic, or one-liner that will be memorable
  to the TV viewer.
• In some instances, you might be doing an interview from a remote location,
  and the interviewer will be based in the studio. In this instance, you should
  look directly at the camera. You likely will be outfitted with an earphone
  to hear the interviewer’s questions.

The more interviews you do, the more comfortable you will become talking to the media about your research. It’s important to remember that most people spend their lives outside the classroom, depending on the print and broadcast media as key sources of information. Thus, the media can play a major role in helping to increase public awareness and understanding of UD research and major scientific and social issues and advances.

Lectures, Exhibits & Presentations

If you are planning a lecture, exhibit, or other public event relating to UD research, or will be presenting at a major conference or meeting, please notify the Research Communications Initiative within the UD Office of Communications and Marketing well in advance of the event so that the staff can help spread the word through the UDaily news service and other avenues.

Presentations at Scientific Meetings

If you’re scheduled to present your research at a major conference, such as the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, please notify UD’s Research Communications Initiative in the Office of Marketing and Communications. The staff may develop a news release on your research to coincide with the presentation or alert reporters who cover your field and may be planning to attend the meeting.

If you are interviewed by a reporter after your presentation, be sure to let the Office of Communications and Marketing know. A heads-up will help the staff keep an eye out for the article or program you’ll be appearing in. This information is then reported in the “In the News” column, which is published periodically on the UDaily news service.

Additionally, you may report your presentations and publications to the “For the Record” column, which also is published periodically on UDaily. Submit information by using this form, or send it in campus mail to UDaily Editor, Office of Marketing and Communications, Academy Building, 105 E. Main St.