Resources, Training and FAQs

• You can reach thousands, perhaps millions, of people through newspapers, television, radio and online media.
• Media coverage helps support UAF's land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service.
• Most people get science information from the media and your efforts can help keep people informed of our science accomplishments and help foster understanding and support for science research.
• The public's perception of UAF and IAB's credibility and integrity is influenced by news coverage of the campus and how faculty, administrators, students and staff announce news and respond to media inquiries.
• Popular media accounts boost the attention research journal papers receive.

• The IAB information officer knows the media well and journalists rely upon this person to get them to the experts they seek.
• The IAB Information Office is the primary conveyor of Institute news and is the office responsible for IAB media relations.
• Every year, the IAB Information Office fields hundreds of media-related calls and interacts regularly with news media and members of the UAF community. Activities include:
  • Informing people about how IAB makes a difference locally, nationally and internationally.
  • Providing journalists with information and connecting them with faculty experts for interviews on timely news topics.
  • Preparing faculty, students and staff to deal effectively with the media to broaden public awareness of research and teaching accomplishments.

IAB's information officer identifies audiences, determines the best way to get the word out and target the most likely media for your research message.

How does your research get to the media?

• News and press releases covering research projects and discoveries, major events, congressional testimony, honors, significant publications and new books.
• Regular contact with journalists via email, meetings, conferences, telephone calls, blogs and social media to interest them in research news.

How your information office gets you publicity

• Consulting with you on the best way to publicize your news to the appropriate audiences.
• Advising on how to reach the campus community, general public and news media, and assisting in developing talking points and communication plans.

Arrange news conferences and media availabilities

• Event coordination originating with IAB and collabortion with other entities.

Improve your communication skills through media training

• Providing interactive workshops and seminars to build your confidence and skills in working with journalists.
• Advising on message development, speech and presentation.

Make media connections for you

• Targeting key publications and media outlets for your message.
• Identifying key campus administration contacts for your message.
• Contacting journalists to give them story suggestions.