Post on 07-Oct-2020
Public Engagement: Writing about Research for the Broader Public:Blogging at The Monkey Cage
Joshua A. TuckerNew York UniversityProfessor of Politics
Director, Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia, NYUCo-Director, NYU Social Media and Political Participation (SMaPP) lab
joshua.tucker@nyu.edu@j a tucker, @monkeycageblog, @SMaPP NYU
America House
May 10, 2017
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 1 / 31
Background and Connections to This Topic, or Why am I Here?
Professor of Politics at NYU: political scientist
Co-Director NYU Social Media and Political Participation (SMaPP) lab: studyingnew media
Recently served on APSA Special Task Force on Public Engagement
Blogger at The Monkey Cage since 2008
True believer!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 2 / 31
Background and Connections to This Topic, or Why am I Here?
Professor of Politics at NYU: political scientist
Co-Director NYU Social Media and Political Participation (SMaPP) lab: studyingnew media
Recently served on APSA Special Task Force on Public Engagement
Blogger at The Monkey Cage since 2008
True believer!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 2 / 31
Outline of Remarks
Why scholars should write for the broader public
How individuals and the discipline can encourage public engagement
The story of one blog: The Monkey Cage, now at The Washington Post
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 3 / 31
Why should scholars engage with broader public?
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 4 / 31
Why should scholars engage with broader public?
Scholars possess expertise
Different time frame for analysis than most journalists
DIfferent approach: The Scientific Method
Different goals: Embrace falsifiability and uncertainty
Overall: can add value to public debates over politics, policy
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 5 / 31
How can scholars join the public conversation?
What can individuals do?
What can the discipline & professional organizations do?
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 6 / 31
Individuals: Be aware of when your work has broader relevance
Write about your research in places accessible to the public!
Reach out to research centers looking for speakers
Join conversations on social media
Be open to talking to reporters
Show the value of our work to others
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 7 / 31
Individuals: Be aware of when your work has broader relevance
Write about your research in places accessible to the public!
Reach out to research centers looking for speakers
Join conversations on social media
Be open to talking to reporters
Show the value of our work to others
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 7 / 31
Individuals: Be aware of when your work has broader relevance
Write about your research in places accessible to the public!
Reach out to research centers looking for speakers
Join conversations on social media
Be open to talking to reporters
Show the value of our work to others
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 7 / 31
Individuals: Be aware of when your work has broader relevance
Write about your research in places accessible to the public!
Reach out to research centers looking for speakers
Join conversations on social media
Be open to talking to reporters
Show the value of our work to others
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 7 / 31
Individuals: Be aware of when your work has broader relevance
Write about your research in places accessible to the public!
Reach out to research centers looking for speakers
Join conversations on social media
Be open to talking to reporters
Show the value of our work to others
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 7 / 31
Writing about your work
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Avoid technical/field specific jargon
Avoid assuming background knowledge
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 8 / 31
Americans: Where is Ukraine located on a world map?
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 9 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
Individuals
Learn to write in a style that can be read by non-academics
Think about application of research to topical issues
What is known in academy that is unknown to policy makers (Drezner)
Take initiative
University resources for op-eds
Guest posts at existing academic blogs
Start your own academic blogs - blur the line with web pages
Take outside the box opportunities: peer review is not only way to share work
Use social media to share research
Support others who are sharing their work
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 10 / 31
The Discipline
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 11 / 31
The Discipline
Bottom-up approach
Avoid temptation to annoint “official” new media sources
Let individual initiative provide wide ranging options
Let readers determine which are most successful models
Look at political science blogosphere now – this is working!
Instead, provide resources
Training on how to write well (like this!)
Logistical support for things like ungating articles
Technical training on how to set up blogs, submit proposals
Reward public engagement during merit review and promotion
Minimum: do not punish it
Stronger: think of this as disciplinary service
Strongest: recognize that it is part of the research process
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 12 / 31
The Discipline
Bottom-up approach
Avoid temptation to annoint “official” new media sources
Let individual initiative provide wide ranging options
Let readers determine which are most successful models
Look at political science blogosphere now – this is working!
Instead, provide resources
Training on how to write well (like this!)
Logistical support for things like ungating articles
Technical training on how to set up blogs, submit proposals
Reward public engagement during merit review and promotion
Minimum: do not punish it
Stronger: think of this as disciplinary service
Strongest: recognize that it is part of the research process
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 12 / 31
The Discipline
Bottom-up approach
Avoid temptation to annoint “official” new media sources
Let individual initiative provide wide ranging options
Let readers determine which are most successful models
Look at political science blogosphere now – this is working!
Instead, provide resources
Training on how to write well (like this!)
Logistical support for things like ungating articles
Technical training on how to set up blogs, submit proposals
Reward public engagement during merit review and promotion
Minimum: do not punish it
Stronger: think of this as disciplinary service
Strongest: recognize that it is part of the research process
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 12 / 31
The Discipline
Bottom-up approach
Avoid temptation to annoint “official” new media sources
Let individual initiative provide wide ranging options
Let readers determine which are most successful models
Look at political science blogosphere now – this is working!
Instead, provide resources
Training on how to write well (like this!)
Logistical support for things like ungating articles
Technical training on how to set up blogs, submit proposals
Reward public engagement during merit review and promotion
Minimum: do not punish it
Stronger: think of this as disciplinary service
Strongest: recognize that it is part of the research process
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 12 / 31
The Discipline
Bottom-up approach
Avoid temptation to annoint “official” new media sources
Let individual initiative provide wide ranging options
Let readers determine which are most successful models
Look at political science blogosphere now – this is working!
Instead, provide resources
Training on how to write well (like this!)
Logistical support for things like ungating articles
Technical training on how to set up blogs, submit proposals
Reward public engagement during merit review and promotion
Minimum: do not punish it
Stronger: think of this as disciplinary service
Strongest: recognize that it is part of the research process
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 12 / 31
Particular Challenges and Opportunities for Area Specialists
Challenges
Most people know much less than you do
Many outlets will assume less of an audience
Tension between necessary background and hooking readers
Tempting to write only for other area specialists
Opportunities
Real demand!
Important audiences
Your research is undoubtedly of interest to someone outside academia
Global audience (and actually, not less of an audience)
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 13 / 31
Particular Challenges and Opportunities for Area Specialists
Challenges
Most people know much less than you do
Many outlets will assume less of an audience
Tension between necessary background and hooking readers
Tempting to write only for other area specialists
Opportunities
Real demand!
Important audiences
Your research is undoubtedly of interest to someone outside academia
Global audience (and actually, not less of an audience)
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 13 / 31
Particular Challenges and Opportunities for Area Specialists
Challenges
Most people know much less than you do
Many outlets will assume less of an audience
Tension between necessary background and hooking readers
Tempting to write only for other area specialists
Opportunities
Real demand!
Important audiences
Your research is undoubtedly of interest to someone outside academia
Global audience (and actually, not less of an audience)
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 13 / 31
Particular Challenges and Opportunities for Area Specialists
Challenges
Most people know much less than you do
Many outlets will assume less of an audience
Tension between necessary background and hooking readers
Tempting to write only for other area specialists
Opportunities
Real demand!
Important audiences
Your research is undoubtedly of interest to someone outside academia
Global audience (and actually, not less of an audience)
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 13 / 31
What is The Monkey Cage?
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 14 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage
Started in 2007 as an independent blog: American Politics and Politics of theInternet
Goal: To share political science research with a larger audience:
Methods
Writing about political science research in a way that is accessible
Writing about politics from the perspective of a political scientists
What political science has to say about current political events and policy debates
Non-partisan, not opion/op-ed: “Research Informed Analysis”
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 15 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage
Started in 2007 as an independent blog: American Politics and Politics of theInternet
Goal: To share political science research with a larger audience:
Methods
Writing about political science research in a way that is accessible
Writing about politics from the perspective of a political scientists
What political science has to say about current political events and policy debates
Non-partisan, not opion/op-ed: “Research Informed Analysis”
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 15 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage
Started in 2007 as an independent blog: American Politics and Politics of theInternet
Goal: To share political science research with a larger audience:
Methods
Writing about political science research in a way that is accessible
Writing about politics from the perspective of a political scientists
What political science has to say about current political events and policy debates
Non-partisan, not opion/op-ed: “Research Informed Analysis”
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 15 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage
Started in 2007 as an independent blog: American Politics and Politics of theInternet
Goal: To share political science research with a larger audience:
Methods
Writing about political science research in a way that is accessible
Writing about politics from the perspective of a political scientists
What political science has to say about current political events and policy debates
Non-partisan, not opion/op-ed: “Research Informed Analysis”
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 15 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage
Started in 2007 as an independent blog: American Politics and Politics of theInternet
Goal: To share political science research with a larger audience:
Methods
Writing about political science research in a way that is accessible
Writing about politics from the perspective of a political scientists
What political science has to say about current political events and policy debates
Non-partisan, not opion/op-ed: “Research Informed Analysis”
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 15 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage: 2009
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 16 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage: 2010
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 17 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage: 2011
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 18 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage: 2013
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 19 / 31
History of The Monkey Cage: 2017
10 co-authors/editors
Specialists in Europe, Middle East, Africa, China + larger US team
Five women, five men
Primarily submission based – vast majority of my work is now as an editor!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 20 / 31
Results: People are Reading!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 21 / 31
Results: Influential Elites are Reading!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 22 / 31
Results: Influential Elites are Reading!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 23 / 31
Results: Influential Elites are Reading!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 24 / 31
Results: Writing at The Monkey Cage leads to Opportunties andRecognition
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 25 / 31
Results: Writing at The Monkey Cage leads to Opportunties andRecognition
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 26 / 31
Results: Indepth Coverage of Important Global Events
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 27 / 31
Lessons Learned
Scholars are a fantastic resource for information
Importance of non-partisan approach
Challenge of non-partisan approach when discussing global events
Importance of “research informed analysis” as opposed to more opinion pieces
There is a huge demand for this sort of writing!!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 28 / 31
How to read The Monkey Cage?
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 29 / 31
How to read The Monkey Cage?
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 30 / 31
Thank you!
Thank You!
Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 31 / 31