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Plan communication

When planning a major research project or research programme, you may need to draw up a communication plan. The following points may be useful to include in your plan. Some funding bodies have communication requirements as part of research projects. A structured approach to communication during the project will make reporting on these requirements easier.

En ikon som visualiserar planering av datahantering

Image: Linus Talltjärn


About the project

Purpose of the research project

Describe the purpose of and background for the project.

Communication challenges

If possible, describe the specific communication challenges that you have identified for the project.

Scope

Describe your defined scope for the project, such as whether the communication plan only covers external communication.

Goals

Project goals

Describe the project’s overall goal. Some projects also include defined milestones in the application. Examine the goals to determine if any are particularly important from a communication perspective.

Measurable communication goals

In relation to the project goals, list the overall goals of the communication efforts in the project. What do we want to achieve with our communication efforts? How can communication support the project’s overall goal? Additionally, identify whether there are indicators that can be used to measure and follow up the impacts of communication efforts. For example, number of participants at conferences and number of press clips.

Identify whether there are any communicative risks to consider that could impact goal attainment in the project. If there are any measures to be taken, define these and specify who is responsible for them.

Target groups

Main target group

Based on your goals, define the main target group for your communication efforts. Depending on the goals of the project, the main target group may be politicians or decision-makers, researchers in other disciplines, specific professional groups, patient groups, parts of the business community, or others. Once defined, let the needs of the target group guide the choice of channels and activities used for communication efforts. 

Secondary target groups

Secondary target groups are less prioritised recipients of communication efforts. However, communicative activities can still reach secondary target groups and increase awareness of the project. As such, they can help achieve the project’s goals.

Communication initiatives

List the communication initiatives that will be part of the project, including a timetable if possible. Do not forget to indicate the resources required to carry out this work (both working hours and any costs).

Examples of communication initiatives

  • Give a popular science lecture.
  • Write a press release or news item.
  • Participate in interviews or articles.
  • Write an opinion piece.
  • Participate in podcasts.
  • Participate in television, radio, daily press, trade press.
  • Write popular science articles, essays and books.
  • Write policy briefs.
  • Visit a school.
  • Participate in exhibitions in museums and science centres.

Find out more about communicating your research

Channels

The channels used to present are important for the project’s communication initiatives. Choose channels with your target audience in mind. Think about where they will most easily see or find the material.

Examples of useful channels:

Follow-up

Regularly follow up on your communication goals and revise the plan as needed. Funding bodies often require presentations and reporting of communication initiatives, and working with communication in a structured way makes this reporting easier.

Present your research on umu.se

The University's website is one of the most important channels for research communications. Find out more about how to work with different aspects of the web:

Silhuettes of two persons.

Your personal page on umu.se and press photo

Expand your network by sharing information about you and your research.

An icon of an open book.

Present your research project on umu.se

Present a research or doctoral project on a research project page.

Ikon över en gruppering av prickar som sitter samman med en moderprick.

Present your research group on umu.se

Presenting a research group on umu.se increases the visibility of the group.

Would you like to learn more about communications and writing?

The staff website Aktum contains more information about communication, video and photography and translation:

Learn more about communication, communication planning, images and video or graphical design in the Communications guide on Aktum (UMU ID required)

Find the Swedish and English style guides for Umeå University on Aktum (UMU ID required)

Learn more about ordering translation, language review or transcription in various languages on Aktum (UMU ID required)

The University Library provides more information about academic writing:

Learn more about academic writing (umu.se/en/library)

Latest update: 2025-06-02

More communication tips

A person is sat typing on a laptop on her lap.

Why research communication is important and how to do it

Results should be dissemination to society. This page recommends how and why.

University magazines and brochures spread out on a table.

Information material, conferences and posters

PowerPoint and poster templates for presenting your research.

En uppslagen bok.

Writing an opinion piece

Get some suggestions if you are writing your own opinion piece.