BOOKS AND SOFTWARE IN REVIEW

Dennis Meredith: Explaining research. How to reachkey audiences to advance your work

Sara Shinton

Published online: 8 November 2010# Springer-Verlag 2010

Book’s topic Today’s researchers must communicate theirwork to a wide audience. They must engage and convincepoliticians of their role in future prosperity. In collaborativeteams, they must be able to communicate the essence ofwhat they do to each other without hiding behind the jargonof their specialism. The importance and relevance ofresearch to society must be conveyed through the media,few of whose employees are scientifically trained. A savvyresearcher should not need convincing of the importance ofthese skills—their question should be “Is this the book tohelp me?”

Contents and critical assessment Meredith’s book looksat these key audiences—peers, the public, and themedia—and addresses each in comprehensive style. Thecoverage is broad, giving advice on use of language,technology, and personality in communication of research.He also guides the reader through the politics of broadeninghis/her reach by explaining the agendas of all stakeholders,from funding body to journalist. Significant attention isgiven to visual communication with whole chaptersdevoted to visuals, photography, video and multi-media,with many links to the resources, programmes, andwebsites which the author has tested for his readers. Giventhis emphasis there are surprisingly few illustrations in thebook, which is perhaps a missed opportunity.

The style is engaging, with many anecdotes andexamples convincing the reader of the value of connectingwith a broad audience. Each chapter contains at least one“cut to the chase” section where bullet points give thereader distilled wisdom from the vast experience of a rangeof experts. These sections enable easy browsing of the bookfor those needing a quick reminder or are compelled intoimmediate action.

Those researchers keen to connect with their audiencesthrough social media will be pleased to find the principalsites are covered. The advice on integrating Web 2.0technology into your research communication strategydemystifies the world of tweets and blogs. More experi-enced users will find insights into web meetings, webinars,and even event management.

Readership recommendation Meredith’s succinct styleenables many different topics to be covered in each section.Even the most experienced communicator will learnsomething from his many years of practice, and his advice

BibliographyExplaining research. How toreach key audiences to advanceyour workDennis MeredithOxford University PressISBN: 978-0-19-973205-0Softcover, 374 pages,March 2010, £22.50

S. Shinton (*)Galashiels, Scottish Borders,United Kingdome-mail: sara.shinton@gmail.com

Anal Bioanal Chem (2011) 399:167–168DOI 10.1007/s00216-010-4360-x

covers all aspects of communication, from the design ofslides to constructing opinion pieces for the national press.For early career researchers this book acts as a pocketcommunication mentor, sharing good practice about thewhole spectrum of effective communication.

The book does not shy away from the potentialdifficulties associated with becoming a public communica-tor. Although the focus throughout is on getting it right,there are also many references to salving situations thathave gone wrong. The chapter on communication trapsdescribes a number of worst-case scenarios with construc-tive advice for handling similar situations. With insightsinto the strategies of journalists and advice on handling

questions, the reader should be able to handle even the mosttenacious interrogator with confidence.

Summary In summary, a huge range of tools andtechniques are presented and successfully explained, withadditional material available online through Meredith’sblog and website. The book is consistently positive andencouraging, convincing the reader to step up and engagewith the public, balancing aspirational suggestions withcautionary tales. Meredith wears his extensive experiencelightly and his engaging style and up-to-date material aresure to make this book extremely popular as the need totailor research communication to new audiences grows.

168 S. Shinton