Communicating your research

Strong communications play a vital role in raising your profile as a researcher, strengthening the BRC’s reputation and demonstrating impact.

Tell the BRC team what you are working on. We can help you to share your story, and it also help us report our activities to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

• Research findings accepted for publication
• Large funding successes
• Researcher awards/recognition
• Trial registrations opening
• Events or training you’re attending
• Policy/guideline changes influenced by research
• Important collaboration/partnerships
• Upcoming major funding bids

You can submit updates about your work to our email address: birminghamBRC@uhb.nhs.uk

Communications training and resources

The University of Birmingham provides extensive guidance and resources for researchers wishing to enhance their profile and promote their work:

• Research Impact Hub: Communication (UoB account required) – tips, contacts and resources to help researchers maximise the impact of their work.
• Media Academy (UoB account required) – a free, self‑guided online course on Canvas, developed to help researchers, academics and professional services staff across the University to develop and refine their media engagement skills.
• Global Engagement Workshop Series (UoB account required) – run by the College of Medicine and Health Global Engagement team, these practical sessions focus on visibility, impact, and connection – from building academics’ profile to working with the media, optimising social media presence, working with the university communication teams and growing international partnerships.
• The Social Media toolkit (UoB account required) – resources and a Canvas training course for anyone running social media channels associated with the university.
• Influential Researcher programme (UoB account required) – run by the university’s Library Services, this programme offers resources, workshops, a Canvas course, and bespoke sessions/one-to-one appointments for researchers wanting to boost their profile.

The NIHR provides guidance on how to use social media for patient and public involvement.