Practical Guides
How to Commission a University Research Magazine (Without Wasting Budget)
Most universities overpay for underperforming research magazines. A step-by-step guide to getting it right — from briefing to delivery.
Read article →Pricing
How Much Does a University Research Magazine Cost?
A line-by-line breakdown of where the money goes — writing, design, photography, print — and what a realistic budget looks like.
Read article →Comms Teams
How to Get Researchers to Cooperate With Your Comms Team
Why researchers resist comms — and eight practical things that turn reluctant academics into willing collaborators.
Read article →Writing Skills
Plain English in Research Communication: A Practical Guide
Ten practical techniques for writing about research that anyone can understand — without dumbing it down.
Read article →Writing Skills
5 Lessons Academic Writing Teaches You That Are Wrong for Public Audiences
Academic writing trains you to be cautious, thorough, and impersonal — virtues in a journal, vices in a magazine. Here's what to unlearn.
Read article →Strategy
Research Communication vs Science Communication: What's the Difference?
They sound like the same thing. They're not. Why the distinction matters — and when to use each approach.
Read article →UKRI
UKRI Dissemination Requirements: What You Actually Need to Do
What UKRI expects, what most projects get wrong, and a practical checklist for meeting your dissemination obligations.
Read article →Measurement & ROI
How to Measure the ROI of Your Research Magazine
Your research magazine costs £20k-£50k per issue. Here's a practical framework for measuring whether it's worth it — in terms your VC will understand.
Read article →REF 2029
REF 2029: How to Craft Impact Case Studies That Reviewers Actually Read
Most REF impact case studies are written to tick a box. Here's how to write ones that stand out, persuade reviewers, and reflect well on your institution.
Read article →AI & Technology
AI Won't Fix Your University's Research Writing Problem
Universities are turning to AI to write their research communications. Here's why that's a mistake — and what actually makes the difference.
Read article →Media Relations
How to Get Your Research Into the News (Without a Press Release)
Press releases are the least effective way to get research into the news. Seven things that actually work — from a journalist on both sides of the pitch.
Read article →Horizon Europe
Why Your Horizon Europe Dissemination Budget Is Too Small
Most Horizon Europe projects spend less than 1% of their budget on public communication. Here's what it actually costs to do it properly.
Read article →University Communications
Why Your University's Research Magazine Reads Like a Press Release (And How to Fix It)
Most university research magazines are written in institutional voice. Here's why that kills engagement, and three fixes you can apply today.
Read article →University Communications
The 5 Biggest Mistakes Universities Make When Communicating Research
From leading with the institution to publishing without a strategy — the five errors that undermine university research communication.
Read article →Storytelling
What The Economist Can Teach Universities About Storytelling
Five techniques from one of the world's best publications that university communications teams can adopt immediately.
Read article →For Researchers
How to Turn a Research Paper Into a Story Anyone Can Understand
A seven-step guide for translating specialist research into stories that general audiences can understand and enjoy — without dumbing it down.
Read article →EU Research
What Horizon Europe's Article 17 Means for Your Dissemination Strategy
What EU research project coordinators need to know about Article 17 compliance — and why a professional magazine is the most effective tool.
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