COMMS RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHERS

You did the work. These prompts help you explain why it matters to journalists, policymakers, funders, and anyone else who should know it exists.

Copy the prompt, fill in the bracketed fields with your own research details, and paste it into any AI writing tool.

  • Plain-language summary

    I'm an academic researcher and I need help making my work accessible to a general audience. Here is my abstract: [PASTE ABSTRACT]. Please write a 200-word plain-language summary at an 8th grade reading level. Use short sentences. Avoid jargon — if a technical term is unavoidable, define it in plain language immediately after. End with one sentence that explains why this finding matters to someone who has never read a scientific paper.

  • Pitch to your university communications office

    I'm an academic researcher who wants to get my recent study covered by my university's news or communications team. Here is my abstract: [PASTE ABSTRACT]. My name is [YOUR NAME], my title is [YOUR TITLE], and I'm based at [YOUR DEPARTMENT]. The study was published in [JOURNAL NAME] on [DATE OR "recently"]. Write a short pitch email I can send to my university communications office. It should include: a subject line, a 2-3 sentence explanation of what we found and why it's newsworthy, a note on timeliness or relevance to current events if applicable, and an offer to connect for an interview. Keep it under 200 words. Write it in a collegial, professional tone; not a press release.

  • Write a "So What" paragraph

    I'm an academic researcher. Here is my abstract: [PASTE ABSTRACT]. My research was conducted in [COUNTRY/REGION] and is most relevant to [DESCRIBE YOUR TARGET POPULATION OR COMMUNITY — e.g. "rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa" or "primary care providers in underserved US settings"]. Write a single compelling paragraph — no more than 100 words — that explains what problem this research addresses, what we found, and what changes if people act on this finding. Write it for a policymaker or funder who has 30 seconds to read it.


  • Write a pitch email to a journalist

    I'm an academic researcher pitching my study to a journalist or editor at a general science or health publication. Here is my abstract: [PASTE ABSTRACT]. My target outlet is [NAME OF OUTLET — e.g. STAT News, Health Affairs, NPR Science Desk, The Guardian Health]. My intended audience is [DESCRIBE — e.g. "general public interested in health policy" or "clinicians and health system leaders"]. Write a pitch email with: a subject line, a strong opening hook (not "I am writing to share my research"), a 2-3 sentence plain-language summary of the finding, a sentence on why this is relevant right now, and a brief note on my credentials. Under 200 words. Match the tone to the outlet I named.

  • Write a LinkedIn post (personal handle)

    I'm an academic researcher and I want to share my recent study on LinkedIn in my own voice. Here is my abstract: [PASTE ABSTRACT]. I work at [YOUR INSTITUTION] and my research focuses on [YOUR BROAD RESEARCH AREA]. Write a LinkedIn post of 150-200 words. Start with a hook that is a question, a surprising statistic, or a bold statement — not "I'm excited to share." Write in first person, conversational but professional. End with a specific question that invites colleagues to engage. Include 3-5 relevant hashtags at the end.

  • Write a LinkedIn post (department or center handle)

    I manage social media for [DEPARTMENT/CENTER NAME] at [INSTITUTION]. We want to share a recent study from one of our researchers on our LinkedIn page. Here is the abstract: [PASTE ABSTRACT]. The lead researcher is [RESEARCHER NAME AND TITLE]. Write a LinkedIn post of 100-150 words in an institutional voice — credible, clear, and proud without being boastful. Lead with the finding, not the publication. Tag the researcher with a placeholder like [@ResearcherName].