Dear all on HIFA Communicating health research working group,
Many thanks to you all for your messages in week 1 of our 5-week in-depth discussion, supported by TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases at WHO.
I have prepared a short edit of the discussion so far:
https://www.hifa.org/sites/default/files/publications_pdf/Communicating_...
You will see that we have already touched on a wide range of relevant topics such as definitions, grades of impact, academic journals, preprints, open access, policy briefs, evidence-informed policymaking, role of the media, global and local evidence...
You can review all messages in full here: https://www.hifa.org/rss-feeds/17
As always, the email address for the forum is: hifa@hifaforums.org
As an aide-memoire our guiding questions are:
1. What do we mean by ‘Effective communication of health research to policymakers?’ How do we measure it?
2. What are the different approaches to communicating research (eg academic journals, policy briefs, interaction with policymakers, press releases, social media, infographics, use of video)? What is your experience with these approaches? What works and what doesn't?
3. What is the role of researchers in research communication, beyond publication of their paper? What is the role of other stakeholders (eg communication professionals, editors, media, public health professionals and critical thinkers)
4. What are the needs and preferences of policymakers?
5. What can be done to better support researchers in the communication of health research?
If you are unclear about how to contribute, let me know and I'll be happy to guide you.
Many thanks, Neil
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, Global Coordinator HIFA, www.hifa.org neil@hifa.org
Working in official relations with WHO
