HOME | CURRENT | ARCHIVES | FORUM Research World, Volume 12, 2015 Online Version

Knowledge. Besides proficiency in language, in-depth understanding of a field is another element of effective communication. This is particularly applicable to research communication. Without the necessary mastery in one’s subject, it is hard to establish effective research communication, even if one is equipped with language proficiency.

Interpersonal Skills. The interpersonal function of language indicates yet another important factor contributing to effective communication. An element of persuasion is involved in all communication. To attract the attention of the receiver(s) or the audience and sustain their interest involves a human process. It is not entirely dictated by cold logic. It involves the whole spectrum of interactive dynamics that arise in human interaction. With developed interpersonal skills, a researcher knows how to create attention, interest, desire, and action through carefully orchestrated interactive communication. Being human processes, these are subject to the influence of convention and culture, which varies with context. A researcher needs to be alert to this.

Interpersonal skills also help researchers grow their professional networks and develop a support base in society. Researchers with better interpersonal skills tend to attract collaborators and investors more easily.

Audience. Being an effective communicator is far more than mastering the vocabulary and grammar of English. Communication has to be tailored to the specific recipient(s) or the audience we are addressing. While addressing an audience, we have to be mindful of the general character of the audience as well as the diversity that may exist within the audience.

Addressing a specialist audience is not the same as addressing a general audience. While addressing a specialist audience, one can assume a certain extent of background knowledge and one can use specialist language. While communicating with specialists, one can refer to the commonly debates issues and focus sharply on the specific issue one is addressing. However, one cannot follow this approach while addressing a general audience. One cannot assume the same level of background knowledge, nor can one use the specialist language with which one is familiar.

To explain the focus or result of research to a general audience, one must first attract their attention by referring to something of a general concern. Of course this would vary from audience to audience. That is why understanding an audience is so important.

Industry. In our context, research is often conducted in collaboration with external partners, especially industry. It is important for researchers to convince industry partners to invest in specific research areas. This requires effective networking as well as effective communication.

It is important to know the professional background of the key decision makers in industry. Sometimes, the key person may have a technical background; sometimes they may have a business background (such as marketing or finance). Our approach to communicate with them cannot be the same. All communication with them needs to be tailored to their specific professional background. One can use technical concepts and criteria while communicating with persons with the relevant technical background. In fact, not using the right language can create a poor impression. However, using excessively specialist language can become dysfunctional if the target of our communication is a person from business background. Such a person could be more concerned about customer satisfaction or return on investment.

In general, while negotiating with industry, a certain degree of business knowledge is useful. Also it is useful to understand human psychology and develop the ability to pick up unstated needs, hopes, desires, or concerns from the nonverbal behaviour displayed by people. An audience is likely to feel respected when we spend the effort to prepare our communication to suit their interests and priorities.

Networking. Developing partnerships with industry requires careful cultivation of professional networks. Such partnerships can be mutually beneficial. These give rise to collaborative research projects that facilitate the development of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research, bringing together expertise from multiple scientific, technical, and professional fields.

Practice and Feedback. In order to develop their communication skills, researchers need practice and constructive feedback. Events such as Three Minute Thesis (3MTŪ) competition provide excellent platforms for practising research communication. The 3MTŪ competition requires research students to communicate with a general audience. Reviewing video recordings of the competition and discussing the comments received from the judges will help not just the participants, but all researchers interested in developing their communication skills. Developing communication skills is a slow process and one should not be discouraged by initial setbacks.

Career. Communication is an important task in a research career. Whether in industry, academia, or freelance context, a researcher needs to engage in communication at every stage of their work. They need to convince clients and investors about the importance of their research proposals; they need to manage communication among collaborators and participants; finally they have to create interest in their results by communicating effectively with various publics.

3. Participants’ Feedback

“The session was very helpful in creating awareness . . .”
“Language is the essence of communication.”
“A successful communication is achieved when the recipients are able to grasp what is being shared.”
“Thus understanding the audience first is very important. . . . interpersonal skills are also important . . .”
“Without in-depth understanding about the topic . . . it is even harder to convey a message in a correct manner even when equipped with the best language capability.”
“Overwhelming the general public with technical knowledge would make them feel disrespected and confused.”