The professional development workshop focused on helping researchers and PhD students communicate their work to international audiences
The International Communications Office (ICO) at Nagoya University held its inaugural Science Communication Workshop on March 4, 2026, bringing together 18 early career researchers and doctoral students for training in making research accessible to the public.
The 90-minute workshop introduced participants to the fundamentals of science communication and included practical exercises in pitching research ideas.
“One of the biggest challenges researchers face is explaining their work to people outside their field,” said Dr. Merle Naidoo, science writer at the ICO. “This workshop provided a framework and tools to help early career researchers develop important communication skills.”
Positive engagement and feedback
Pre-event surveys showed that participants were most interested in learning how to identify what makes their research newsworthy and how to explain complex research in simple terms. Many also expressed a desire to better understand the press release process and timelines.
The workshop’s structure balanced theoretical foundations with hands-on practice. Part one covered communication fundamentals and analyzed press release examples, while part two gave participants the opportunity to develop and pitch their own research stories to peers.
Participants reported gaining new perspectives on their communication approach: “I got the idea to share my research to people who don’t know about my field,” said one participant, while another noted, “I learned about the importance of press release articles and that I should learn how to explain my work in general words.”
The workshop also prompted self-reflection. “My topic is harder to conceptualize to the public than I realized,” one attendee observed. “I need to better organize my thoughts.”
According to post-survey results, the pitching practice and feedback session was identified as the most helpful component. The exercise challenged participants to simplify complex projects into clear, engaging two-minute summaries for general audiences.
The workshop also introduced participants to EurekAlert!, an international press release distribution platform, and presented examples of successful press releases from Nagoya University researchers that had received significant attention in the media.
Participants expressed strong interest in extended sessions with more time for practice and feedback, as well as deeper exploration of specific topics such as the press release development process and conducting media interviews. Several attendees also suggested workshops tailored to specific research fields, recognizing that different research fields present unique challenges in communicating to general audiences.
Building essential career skills
Science communication skills have become increasingly important for researchers seeking to increase the visibility and impact of their work. Effective communication can help researchers secure funding, attract collaborators, inform policy decisions, and contribute to public understanding of science.
The workshop emphasized transferable skills applicable beyond press releases, including techniques for social media, presentations, grant proposals, and public engagement activities.
Based on the feedback from participants and stakeholders, ICO is exploring additional workshops focused on specific skills such as research pitching, press release writing techniques, and communication theory. The office is also working with campus partners to develop training that reaches a broader cross-section of Nagoya University’s research community.
“We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm and engagement from our first cohort of participants,” said Dr. Matthew Linley, head of the ICO. “Their feedback will help shape how we develop and deliver science communication training going forward.”
To view press releases and news articles published by the ICO see here.
About the International Communications Office
The International Communications Office (ICO) at Nagoya University creates and distributes press releases, news articles, and multimedia content about university research and institutional activities to international audiences. The office serves as the primary channel for raising global awareness of research conducted at Nagoya University.
