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?

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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

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History of The Monkey Cage: 2010

Joshua A. Tucker (NYU) Public Engagement May 10, 2017 17 / 31

History of The Monkey Cage: 2011

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History of The Monkey Cage: 2013

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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