Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Pahlow, a fellow podcast enthusiast and research communicator, who makes the amazing Amplifying Research podcast series. Here is him chatting with Amy Bugeja from University of Melbourne whom I used to work in parallel with back when she was at Neuroscience Institute and I was at Networked Society Institute. Another fabulous human with a passion for great research communication.
Chris and I discussed peer-reviewed podcasts and the challenges of academic communication. As I embark on producing Australia’s first peer-reviewed podcast series, this exchange provided valuable insights and sparked new ideas for the project.
Chris, with his background in film and consulting work with Melbourne University’s video team, brings a unique perspective to research communication. His passion for making complex academic ideas accessible resonates deeply with my own mission. We both share the belief that podcasting can bridge the gap between scholarly work and public understanding, making research more engaging and relatable.
One of the key topics we explored was the structure of peer-reviewed podcasts. I explained how our series, set to be published through the Urban Studies journal, aims to produce new knowledge by drawing connections across existing work. The episodes, each around 26 minutes long, will feature interviews with leading academics, creating a cohesive narrative similar to a journal issue.
We delved into the unique challenges of peer-reviewing audio content. Unlike text-based articles, not all feedback can be easily implemented in podcasts. This limitation has led us to adopt an iterative approach, where some suggestions are incorporated into future episodes or series. The process is still evolving, and we’re considering publishing reviewer feedback alongside the series for transparency.
It was clear Chris and I both see immense potential in podcasting as a tool for research dissemination and creation. The enthusiasm and creativity in this space are palpable, and it makes me so happy to be working in this space and meeting fellow enthusiasts. We all have our eyes on the horizon.
This conversation with Chris has not only provided practical insights for our peer-reviewed podcast project but also reinforced the importance of our work in bridging the gap between academia and the wider public. I’m more keen than ever to push the boundaries of research communication and create content that is both academically rigorous and accessible.
Check out the rest of Chris’ podcast, every episode is gold especially for research comms peeps, and he is churning them out so lots of valuable wisdom awaits!