New resources from Research Communications Conference 2025
02 Apr 2025
This year’s event was our most popular yet – get guidance, support and inspiration from our tools and resources page
Our annual Research Communications Conference was more popular than ever with a full house of 122 colleagues from across the University and from a variety of career stages.
The one-day event brought together researchers, academics, postgraduate researchers and communications professionals to discuss the latest trends and best practices in sharing and promoting research.
There was also a chance to network, boosting interdisciplinary and professional connections.
Delegates attended panel discussions, workshops and lightning talks led by experts in the field, learning how to communicate research to new audiences.
This year we included an informative – and reassuring, even humorous – session on how to use Generative AI for research communications.
There was advice and guidance from our social media team, media relations team and The Conversation Investigations Editor, Paul Keaveny. There was inspiration from colleagues working with Policy@Manchester, the public engagement team and FSE Content Production and social media officer, Kory Stout who showed how to make videos with an entertaining video of his own.
And there was further support around using Research Explorer, writing a lay summary and making your digital communications accessible, while a presentation on our Research culture and environment was backed by a perfect example in our Research Impact team talk.
Conference sponsor, Associate Vice-President for Research Professor Nigel Hooper opened the event by explaining how the University is working to support researchers to improve their citations and thus our rankings performance – research communications being an essential element.
Nigel Hooper then chaired a panel discussion with Prof Aline Miller (FSE), Dr Suzanne Johnson (FBMH), Mariana Hernandez-Montilla (PGR, HUMS) and Enna Bartlett (Research Comms, FSE) to explore the benefits of working with research comms teams and the benefits of communicating their research.
So, if you were unable to attend, or want to revisit elements of this informative and inspiring event, please visit: