Embedded Files
Getting the Word Out:
Whether you’ve recently published a new paper, won an award, engaged in an exciting service project, or were quoted in the media, there are so many reasons to be excited to share the news. The Department of Chemistry and the College of Science and Engineering (CSE) communications teams offer a variety of modes of communicating your updates!
Why should I spend my time working on sharing updates from my lab?
Why should I spend my time working on sharing updates from my lab?
Participating in media engagements is a chance to reflect work supporting the University of Minnesota’s research, education and outreach mission; enhance your reputation with peers, partners and other stakeholders; and highlight how investments in the mission benefit communities and the economy.
News stories about your science benefit your lab, the department, and the broader community. By communicating the importance and impact of chemistry research, you play a part in voicing the importance of science in policymaking, culture, and everyday life. Being vocal about your work can also play a part in elevating your position to earn awards and funding that secure the future of your research program.
Who do I share the news with?
Who do I share the news with?
To get your news in the right hands, consider the scope:
If...
If...
Your new paper is a step in your research program or subfield.
Your news primarily has an impact on it’s own niche in chemistry.
Your news is a big deal regionally, locally, or at the University, but not on a national scale.
Your news could be shared in a social media post or an eleMNts newsletter shoutout, and doesn’t require a whole story.
Then: share your news with Chemistry Communications (ChemComm)
Then: share your news with Chemistry Communications (ChemComm)
Send an email to chemcomm@umn.edu with your news!
Include any relevant links related to the news, and share if you’d like to see it as a full story or a social media or newsletter shoutout.
Research-focused update? Please provide 1-2 explanatory paragraphs.
Aim for a level of specificity understandable to a chemist with a Bachelor’s degree.
Pro tip: Stories shared in departmental news can dive a few layers deeper into the science, whereas CSE news stories prioritize plain language for maximum audience accessibility
If...
If...
Your new paper is a leap in your research program or subfield
Your news primarily has a notable impact on the broader chemistry community, or in an adjacent research area like medicine or energy.
Your news is a big deal or the national or international scale.
Your news would best serve my lab, the department, and the college if it were featured in a bigger story.
Then: share your news with CSE Communications
Then: share your news with CSE Communications
Fill out the CSE Marketing and Communications Project Request form: z.umn.edu/CSEcommsrequest
You only need to select the CSE News/Feature Story Request option.
The CSE team will automatically create related social media posts if your news is selected for a story.
The CSE team will review your request and follow up with questions. In some cases, they may decide the story is more appropriate for departmental or University-level news.
Send a note to chemcomm@umn.edu after you’ve submitted your form, we want to help amplify your news!
What are the practical differences between Chemistry and CSE news stories?
What are the practical differences between Chemistry and CSE news stories?
Chemistry and CSE have different primary audiences, reach, and language limitations.
Research Update - ChemComm
Research Update - ChemComm
Department of Chemistry stories are intended primarily for the chemistry community. Our stories can get deeper into the true nature of the science, and allow for use of some jargon and specialty terms.
Excerpt: “Rheology, the study of a material’s flow, tells chemists a lot about its physical behavior. In the Lamb Lab’s polar polymer samples, incorporating a stronger dipole predictably increased the glass transition temperature and the activation energy of flow...”
Outcomes:
Reach the chemistry community – other scientists, alumni, current students – with detailed updates about your research progress
Know that the audience is limited by platform and specificity
Research Update - CSE
Research Update - CSE
CSE stories are intended for the broader CSE community, incuding prospective students, parents and donors. They require more plain language and broad strokes in order to effectively reach a more general audience.
Excerpt: “Chemists use what are called “aryne intermediates” as building blocks to make complex molecules more efficiently in areas such as pharmaceuticals and materials. Previously, researchers would have to add chemical additives to their reactions for activation, leading to significant waste.”
Outcomes:
Reach more individuals outside of chemistry – donors, perspective students, the general pubic
Share less details about the chemistry processes
Small victories & social media
Small victories & social media
All accomplishments are worth celebrating!
Do you have a piece of news that’s more like a tidbit than a full story? Maybe a paper that’s a simple update on existing research, or a conference award, or a short quote in the media? These accomplishments are still worth celebrating! Even if your update might not need a major announcement, we’d love to highlight your news on our social media and/or in the departmental newsletter, eleMNts. Work with Chemistry Communications to amplify small victories by:
Making a LinkedIn or BlueSky post about your news and tag the UMN Chemistry account – we’ll repost it!
Sending a link or a couple of sentences to chemcomm@umn.edu and mention that you’d like the news to be shared on social media or in the eleMNts newsletter
Sharing little wins you hear about other researchers or groups in the department
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance of a paper launch or award announcement should I initiate this process?
How far in advance of a paper launch or award announcement should I initiate this process?
It's always helpful to get stories on our radar as early as possible. You can send ChemComm a note even if the award won't be announced by the funding agency for a couple of months, or if the paper has just been accepted. There are almost always other news stories "in the queue," so it doesn't hurt to get yours on the to-do list well in advance!
What if my paper is under a strict journal embargo?
What if my paper is under a strict journal embargo?
Researchers are allowed to share embargoed news with departmental support staff for the purpose of working on the announcement behind the scenes. We will never publish your news before the embargo date set by the publisher or awarding agency, and will check to ensure the news has been announced by the other party before publishing our own story. If there are any concerns about a high-profile embargo, ChemComm can work with the third party's media/PR team directly.
Can I review or approve the draft before CSE or the department publishes it?
Can I review or approve the draft before CSE or the department publishes it?
Yes, our communications teams will always send drafts for your review, and welcome your feedback pertaining to scientific accuracy and framing.
Does the department or CSE help with graphics, or do I need to provide completed visuals?
Does the department or CSE help with graphics, or do I need to provide completed visuals?
Chemistry Communications can support a news story's visuals by making cover story graphics, taking a new headshot or group photo for the featured scientist(s), or even capturing a photograph in the lab. If you'd like your story to include scientific figures, you'll need to provide those yourself.
Can I submit news about outreach or student groups, or only academic research and awards?
Can I submit news about outreach or student groups, or only academic research and awards?
We're happy to share news of all kinds! Don't hesitate to each out to ChemComm.
I'm a graduate student. What value does working on sharing lab news provide me?
I'm a graduate student. What value does working on sharing lab news provide me?
Graduate students who collaborate with ChemComm on news announcements will be credited in a byline on the news story. These announcements can be a great way to showcase your writing skills, critical thinking, and ability to translate complex problems into accessible language. Graduate students who participate in a news collaboration will receive feedback on their written submission and are invited to meet up for further discussion about Science Communication if desired.
I'm a graduate student. Do I need my PI's permission before I submit an update to ChemComm?
I'm a graduate student. Do I need my PI's permission before I submit an update to ChemComm?
If you are submitting a research update, your PI will need to be in the loop at some point. You are welcome to submit news about awards you've received or student groups you've participated in without PI permission.
I have another question not addressed here...
I have another question not addressed here...
No problem! Send it on over to chemcomm@umn.edu. Talk soon!
Page updated
Report abuse