Summer greetings and reflections on the power of communication

Ahead of the summer, our faculty communicators, Susanna Bergström and Annika Mossing, have summarised the important work being done in research communication and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

We have much to be proud of: our committed researchers, skilled communicators, and leaders who champion communication as a strategic asset. To build on this strong foundation and avoid duplication of effort or confusion, we need to foster even greater collaboration, utilising each other's expertise and identifying common priorities.

With this in mind, we've established a clear vision for our research communication: effective, synchronised and proactive.

Effective – Delivering the right content to the right audiences, ensuring our knowledge is put to good use.

Synchronised – Our collective efforts reinforce each other, showcasing us as ‘one SLU’.

Proactive – We don't just respond; we actively contribute to setting the agenda.

To achieve this vision, we'll focus on three key pillars:

• A communicative organisation, where communication is valued, encouraged, and collaborative – a shared effort among researchers, communicators and leaders.
• Robust monitoring and intelligence – by staying abreast of current events, debates, inquiries and legislative proposals in our fields, alongside developments in our own research and environmental assessment, we can precisely time our communication and confidently present our expertise in the right contexts.
• Optimised tools and methods – relevant channels, committed spokespersons and a continuous flow of content.

So, when we talk about research communication, what exactly do we mean? We're referring to outreach specifically aimed at audiences outside the academic community. This includes target groups such as decision-makers, practitioners, the interested general public and funders. Our goal isn't necessarily broad reach, but rather impactful reach.

This might involve general news, or perhaps specialised content for industry media, tailored for professionals and those with niche interests. We carefully assess each case, adapting language, content and channels to suit the target group and purpose.
 
Well-crafted news stories, with a clear angle and context, often have the greatest impact. They can extend far beyond SLU’s platforms, reaching audiences through media, newsletters and social media, ensuring that our knowledge travels further. That's why we want more of you to have the opportunity to prioritise this approach. Together, we can strengthen our shared channels and ensure our knowledge is put to good use.

We want SLU to be the go-to source when society needs knowledge on the sustainable use of natural resources. Our aim is for practitioners, decision-makers and the media to turn to us because we are clear, accessible and credible.

Not everyone needs to communicate everything, but everyone can contribute to making us better.

This might mean alerting your communications officer about an upcoming publication, or considering if your research connects to a current event. If it does, are you prepared to comment in the media or in other channels? If you need support to feel confident in this role, help is available.

Support your colleagues when they step into the public eye. We know that many hesitate to communicate, not because of the media, but because of concerns about how colleagues will react. Contribute to a supportive culture where more people dare step into the spotlight.

We want to continue building communication that strengthens our research and makes a difference in society. We achieve this best, together.

Pernilla Christensen, pro dean
Susanna Bergström & Annika Mossing, communication officers