Amplifying Research

27. Connecting Through Comedy: David Crisante on how to use humour to build key relationships and make your research approachable.

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/27-david-crisante 
 
Apply for David’s Science Comedy Program
Looking to build stronger research partnerships and make your work more accessible? Science comedy expert David Crisante shares how strategic humour can help you connect with stakeholders, improve team dynamics, and boost your impact.
David brings a unique perspective to research communication, combining his experience as director of both Future Science Talks and the Sydney Comedy School. His groundbreaking Science Comedy Program has helped over 200 researchers from across Australia master storytelling techniques and develop their public speaking skills through comedy.
Through this pioneering program, researchers have gone on to feature in major arts festivals across Australia, transforming the way they communicate their work to diverse audiences. David's approach draws on his extensive career experience as a journalist, diplomat, and crisis response specialist, including time as a speechwriter for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
"When we talk about humor, we actually want to make that person feel stimulated, excited, like they're finding a new connection... because that then can lead to a whole bunch of other doors opening." – David Crisante
This episode is essential listening for any researcher looking to make their work more approachable and build stronger professional relationships. Whether you're preparing for a conference presentation, trying to improve team dynamics, or looking to engage better with stakeholders, David offers practical techniques you can start using today.
 
Our conversation covers:
Why comedy skills are valuable for researchers and science communicators
The role of humor in building authentic connections and partnerships
Using comedy techniques to improve public speaking and presentations
How to modulate status effectively in professional settings
Strategies for making your research more relatable and engaging
Techniques for fostering positive team dynamics through humor
The importance of preparation and practice in public speaking
How to adapt humor for different cultural contexts
Tips for finding your authentic comedic voice
Building confidence through comedy training
Using humor to make complex research more accessible
Balancing professionalism with personality
 
Find David online:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcrisante
https://www.davidcrisante.com
https://www.futuresciencetalks.com.au

26. Social Media Strategy: Dr Julius Wesche on how to build your online presence (and boost impact while doing it)

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/25-dr-julius-wesche
 
Check out Julius’ free email course here! https://juliuswesche.kit.com/6190218e2e
 
Not sure where to start with social media? Dr. Julius Wesche gives us a masterclass on how to build a powerful online presence and boost your research impact while doing it.
Julius is a researcher based at the Norwegian university of science and technology, who's an expert in science communication — especially when it comes to leveraging social media and podcasts for research comms.
He regularly shares amazing tips for researchers on his LinkedIn profile, and he's the host of three great podcasts: the science communication accelerator podcast, the NTNU’s energy transition podcast, and the enPower podcast (which has more than 800,000 listens).
“Attention is the prerequisite for impact. And if you want to have impact, you have to make your stuff available. And I think social media right now is the cheapest way of doing that.“ – Julius Wesche
This episode is a must-listen for any researcher looking to expand their reach online. From tailoring content for different platforms to analysing key metrics that matter, Julius offers practical advice you can start implementing today.
 
Our conversation covers:
Why having an online presence is essential for researchers today
How to get started with social media as a researcher, even if you're a beginner
Building your social media strategy incrementally (and keeping it alive)
How to define and prioritise the key audience for your research communication efforts.
Tailoring content to different platforms: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and beyond
Practical tips for making sure your social media strategy is practical and sustainable
Coming up with great hooks for your posts/content
Tracking metrics
Common mistakes researchers make on social media (and how to avoid them)
 
Find Dr Julius Wesche online:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-mukurumbira-68314798
Science Communication Accelerator Podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-communication-accelerator-scicomx-scicomm-social/id1583294091
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2uO8pxtd1vL7zHBIa7NVpk?si=7ef2b4f0b5014ab6
Things mentions:
“Do things that don’t scale” by Paul Graham
“Steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon
“Document, don’t create” by Gary Vaynerchuk
 
 
 
 

25. Level Up Your Impact: Dr Michelle Chen on using video games for knowledge mobilisation

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/25-michlle-chen 
 
Video games for research?!? Dr Michelle Chen explains how games can be powerful tools for knowledge mobilisation, and how you can get started making them.
Michelle has a PhD in design from RMIT University and she's the founder of Mental Jam, a platform for sharing lived experiences of mental health struggles through video game co creation.
She shares insights on why researchers should consider video games as a medium for translation and dissemination, and provides a step-by-step guide on how to create games from research — even if you're not a coder or designer.
"Unlike traditional media, which is like TVs or movies or books, where you're just reading something and consuming something passively, the interactive nature video games really helps people become more immersed… You can go even deeper, and really break things down, and see how you can find common things from games that can be applied to your research and help people learn it in a more fun way." — Michelle Chen
This episode is a must-listen for any researcher looking to make their work more engaging and accessible. Even if you’ve never considered making a game before, Michelle offers practical advice on how to get you started.
 
Our conversation covers:
Why video games are an effective medium for research dissemination
How to start designing a game based on your research
The benefits of co-design and participatory research in game development
Practical steps for researchers with no game development experience
How to find collaborators for your game project
Platforms for distributing your finished game
The pros and cons of the startup route versus traditional academic pathways
 
Find Dr Michelle Chen online:
Mental Jam — https://purplelilgirl.com/mentaljam
Michelle’s website — https://purplelilgirl.com
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/purplelilgirl
Things mentioned:
Twine (for narrative games)
Yarn Spinner
Unity game engine
Itch.io (game distribution platform)
Games for Change Festival

24. Pop Culture Power: Dr Jennifer Beckett and Dr Eloise Faichney on boosting engagement with marketing know-how

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/24-jennifer-becket-eloise-faichney
 
We dive into the worlds of marketing and pop culture with Dr. Jennifer Beckett and Dr. Eloise Faichney. They share lessons from industry that researchers can apply to engage the public, boost their research visibility, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Jen and Eloise are both lecturers in media and comms at the University of Melbourne who spent time out in the industry before becoming academics.
They were key figures behind the Swiftposium, a hybrid academic conference on the cultural impact of Taylor Swift, which garnered media attention from outlets like the BBC, CNN, Rolling Stone, Marie Claire, and more.
Together, we unpack the lessons they learned on how to make research resonate with broader audiences, leveraging pop culture to spark interest and communicate complex ideas in engaging ways.
Whether you're aiming to connect with the public or build meaningful interdisciplinary collaborations, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples to help you amplify your research.
 
Our conversation covers:
How researchers can apply marketing and media strategies to engage the public and increase visibility
The importance of agility, creativity, and playfulness in academic communication
How to bridge the gap between professional staff and academics
Strategies for effective interdisciplinary collaboration
Lessons learned from organising the viral Swiftposium
Tips for researchers on crafting their career narrative
The value of being open to unexpected opportunities
How to balance academic rigour with public engagement
Supporting early-career researchers with media training to amplify their impact
 
Find Dr. Jennifer Beckett and Dr. Eloise Faichney online:
Jen — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/686177-jennifer-beckett
Eloise — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/825855-eloise-faichney
Swiftposium — https://swiftposium2024.com
Things mentioned:
Swiftposium Pursuit articles: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/topics/swiftposium
Professor Skye reviews: Run The Jewels, JPEGMAFIA, Billy Woods, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

23. Concise Communication: Dr Agnes Mukurumbira on winning the 3MT Asia-Pacific

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/23-dr-agnes-mukurumbira 
 
Let's take a deep dive into the art of condensing complex research into presentations that are both concise and compelling. Dr. Agnes Mukurumbira — winner of the 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Asia-Pacific Final and People's Choice — shares her journey to success and breaks down her winning presentation.
Agnes is the co-founder of the startup Food Protect and a researcher at Deakin University's CASS Food Research Center. She discusses how winning the 3MT has opened doors and shaped her career, and takes us through the storytelling techniques that have helped with her 3MT and beyond. We break down her 3MT moment-by-moment, pulling out practical takeaways you can apply to your own research communication.
Whether you're preparing for a competition like the 3MT, honing your elevator pitch, or simply looking to communicate your research more effectively to laypeople, this episode offers invaluable insights on making your work more accessible.
 
Our conversation covers:
The impact of winning the 3MT on Agnes's career and visibility as a researcher
Agnes’ process of preparing for the 3MT, including key storytelling techniques
Strategies for explaining complex scientific concepts to non-specialist audiences
How to structure a compelling short presentation
The importance of relatability and using analogies in science communication
Balancing technical details with broader impact in presentations
Tips for presenting to both live audiences and on camera
The value of the competitions like the 3MT in developing crucial science communication skills
 
Find Dr Agnes Mukurumbira online:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-mukurumbira-68314798
 
 

22. Designing for Impact: Prof Robert Fitzgerald on bridging research and community needs

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/21-nicholas-van-dam 
 
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Professor Robert Fitzgerald, on how to incorporate human-centred design into your research practices to boost impact for the communities you’re hoping to serve.
Rob has held several leadership roles, including as the Head of the Canberra School of Professional Studies at UNSW, Pro Vice Chancellor of Education Strategy at Charles Darwin University, and Director of the University of Canberra's Inspire Centre for Innovation in Education and Training.
With over 35 years of experience in education and digital transformation, Rob is passionate about human-centred design. In this episode, we explore how to move beyond just filling out a couple of paragraphs in a grant application to actually working with communities to ensure your research not only provides the right solutions but also tackles the right questions.
Rob shares insights from international collaborative projects, illustrating the importance of listening, empathy, and co-design in research. We also discuss how to uncover the impact metrics that truly matter to the communities you’re working with, and how to keep engaging with them throughout the project to ensure you’re on the right track.
If you’re a researcher looking to make a real difference with your work, or if you’re part of a team aiming to bridge the gap between research and community needs, this episode is packed with practical insights and strategies that can help you achieve more meaningful and impactful outcomes.
 
Our conversation covers:
The importance of human-centred design in research and how it can significantly enhance the impact of your work.
Moving beyond basic grant application requirements to fully engage with the communities your research aims to serve.
How human-centred design requires researchers to stop talking and start asking questions, truly listening with empathy and curiosity.
Strategies for effective listening and empathy in research settings, especially when working with diverse and international communities.
The participatory and collaborative nature of HCD, involving not just community representatives but also other researchers and organizations.
The role of co-design in formulating research questions that are truly relevant to community needs.
Uncovering and understanding the impact metrics that matter most to the communities involved in your research.
The importance of having fun and making sure everyone feels respected and actively involved during research engagements.
Techniques for maintaining ongoing engagement with community partners throughout the research project.
Insights from Rob’s international collaborative projects, highlighting real-world applications of human-centred design.
The ethical considerations and challenges of conducting research that is both respectful and impactful.
 
Find Prof Robert Fitzgerald online:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertnfitzgerald
 
Mentioned in the episode:
Gavin Blake, scribe — https://gavinblake.com.au
 

21. Philanthropic funding: A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam on raising $10M for a new research centre

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/21-nicholas-van-dam 
 
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Associate Professor Nicholas Van Dam on how he raised $10M in philanthropic funding for the University of Melbourne's Contemplative Studies Centre.
Nicholas shares how he reframed his thinking to land that significant donation, and we discuss the importance of diversifying your funding portfolio, building connections with the right people, and effectively pitching your vision to potential donors.
If you’re a researcher or part of a research organisation looking to tap into philanthropic funding, this episode is packed with practical advice and strategies you can apply to your own work.
 
Our conversation covers:
Strategies for reframing your thinking to attract significant donations.
The importance of diversifying your funding sources and not relying solely on traditional grants.
How to build and maintain connections with potential donors and key stakeholders.
Listening and self-reflection — the importance of listening to potential donors and understanding their priorities while also reflecting on your own passions and long-term satisfaction before committing to funding agreements.
The value of dedicating time to develop the necessary skills for securing funding and taking meetings, even when uncertain about the outcomes.
Effective pitching techniques to communicate your vision and its impact compellingly.
The role of media appearances in building your reputation and increasing your visibility to potential donors.
The significance of surrounding yourself with the right people, seeking mentorship, and consciously building a strong, supportive team.
Tips on leveraging your existing networks to open doors to new funding opportunities.
 
Find A/Prof Nicholas Van Dam online:
https://www.nicholastvandam.com
UniMelb — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/796489-nicholas-van-dam
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-van-dam-7784a85/

20. Building Trust: Dr Jo Antoniades on connecting with multicultural communities

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/20-jo-antoniades 
 
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Dr Jo Antoniades on how to conduct community engagement that builds real and authentic trust.
Jo is a Senior Research Fellow at the National Aging Research Institute in the Division of Social Gerontology, and is a colleague of Professor Bianca Narth, who featured in episode 14.
In today’s episode, we expand on that discussion by delving into the intricacies of co-designing with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
We explore why it’s crucial to involve community members right from the start, how to build authentic relationships, and the logistical challenges researchers might face. Jo shares invaluable insights on maintaining long-term relationships, the power of using the right language, and why employing bilingual research assistants can make a significant difference.
If you’re interested in enhancing your community engagement, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical tips you can start applying today!
 
Our conversation covers:
The importance of involving community members from the beginning of the research process
Strategies for making the first contact with multicultural communities
Building authentic and long-lasting relationships with community partners
Practical tips for overcoming logistical challenges in community engagement
The importance of understanding the motivations of partner organisations
Ensuring mutual benefit in community-researcher collaborations
The role of language and terminology in effective communication
Ethical considerations in engaging with diverse communities
The benefits of employing bilingual research assistants to bridge cultural gaps
Approaches for maintaining trust and ongoing relationships with community partners
Best practices for co-designing research projects with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
 
Find Dr Jo Antoniades online:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/josefine-antoniades-77a74b67
NARI — https://www.nari.net.au/dr-josefine-antoniades

19. Prof Megan Munsie on “owning your research”

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/19-megan-munsie
 
Today’s episode is a deep dive with Prof Megan Munsie on “owning your research” — taking control over the way your research is presented and discussed in public forums.
Megan is a renowned expert in stem cell research who has dedicated her career to exploring the ethical, legal, and social implications of this cutting-edge field. She currently works with the University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine. She’s also a board member of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, the current president of the Australasian Society of Stem Cell Research, and her work has influenced policy reforms and the development of educational resources for over a decade.
In our conversation, we use the development of stem cell research as an example to explore why its so important to “own your research” and find the right balance between hype and hope.
Whether you’re a veteran working in a controversial research field, or an ECR just getting started with comms and engagement, if you’ve ever been frustrated by the significance of your work either being overhyped or underplayed, this episode is a must-listen!
Our conversation covers:
Proactively managing the narrative around your research
Tailoring your message for different audiences
Strategies for early career researchers to build confidence in public engagement
The role of mentorship and collaboration in shaping a research career
Managing the story of your career
Stakeholder mapping
Techniques for effective science communication and public engagement
Engaging with controversial research topics responsibly
Find Prof Megan Munsie online:
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-munsie-27013136
University of Melbourne — https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/379400-megan-munsie
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute — https://www.mcri.edu.au/researcher-details/megan-munsie
Find Chris Pahlow online:
Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research

18. Geoff Paine on creating interactive experiences for impactful engagement

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips, on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/18-geoff-paine
 
Today's episode is a deep dive with Geoff Paine, senior content curator at BehaviourWorks Australia.
Geoff is an actor and writer who’s entertainment industry experience includes acting on shows like Neighbours and running a studio producing corporate content for major Australian organisations. He now brings his wealth of experience to BehaviourWorks Australia, focusing on creating engaging and impactful content.
In this episode, Geoff shares insights on how to design interactive experiences for impactful engagement. Drawing on his extensive background in storytelling and performance, he discusses the importance of making research communication engaging, interactive, and memorable. Geoff provides practical tips and innovative strategies for researchers to enhance their presentations and public engagements.
Whether you're a researcher, educator, or professional communicator, this episode is packed with valuable insights on using interactivity to drive engagement and impact!
Our conversation covers:
Practical tips for making complex research accessible and engaging
Designing interactive elements to enhance presentations and workshops
Techniques for storytelling and theatrical methods to engage audiences
Practical steps for planning and delivering interactive presentations
The importance of vulnerability in effective communication
Strategies for overcoming public speaking anxiety
Conducting simulation training for behaviour change within organisations
Find Geoff Paine online:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-paine-5ba0248
https://www.behaviourworksaustralia.org/team/geoff-paine
https://www.monash.edu/msdi/about/people/professional/geoff-paine
Find Chris Pahlow online:
Chris Pahlow on LinkedIn
Amplifying Research