Communicating for Impact: A Transformative Learning Experience
The Donaghue Foundation recently sponsored several grantees to attend AcademyHealth’s “Communicating for Impact” course. This strategic communication program was designed to help mid-career researchers bridge the gap between their expertise and practical application by providing essential tools and skills for effective dissemination.
Highlights:
“The toolkits and scenarios were really helpful! They definitely enhanced learning and I will use the tools to help plan future communications.”
SArah roth, PHD| Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE)
Participants found the course immensely valuable for understanding different audiences and crafting effective messages. The use of real-world scenarios and practical tools was repeatedly highlighted as a significant benefit. Live calls with leading experts were generally well-received.
“The course was very helpful in terms of helping me strategically think through who the different priority audiences are for our research and how to craft messages.”
Ellis Dillon, PhD| University of Connecticut Health Center
Most participants felt more confident in creating audience profiles and elevator speeches, and some noted a desire for continued opportunities for more in-depth coverage of using videos for communication and examples related to qualitative research. They particularly appreciated the real-world scenarios and the inclusion of visual abstracts, noting they would be incorporated into future work.
“This course used very helpful practice exercises to help me first understand WHO I am speaking to before trying to craft the HOW.”
Alisha johnson, phd| University of Missouri
Overall, the course was well received, with participants noting increased confidence in their ability to create tailored messages for different communication channels. The Donaghue Foundation is proud to support such initiatives that empower researchers to amplify their work and drive meaningful change.