03 March 2022
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Story Dr Nitha Ramnath
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Photo istock
The University of the Free State (UFS) has joined
The Conversation Africa (TCA) as a funding partner. TCA, a not-for-profit media initiative, is part of a global platform that publishes articles written by academics and researchers. The platform’s objective is to make the knowledge produced in the academy accessible, easy to understand, and freely available to the general public. Articles are published daily on the TC-Africa website - https://theconversation.com/africa.
The platform uses a Creative Commons republishing model. This means articles can be republished by other media on the continent and internationally, ensuring even greater reach to audiences including academics, policy makers, funders, and the general public.
To date, more than 55 UFS researchers and academics have published with TCA, and their articles have garnered more than 1,3 million readers globally. UFS researchers and academics are encouraged to publish with The Conversation.
As part of the partnership, TCA will run writing workshops for UFS academics and researchers who want to enhance their writing and science communication skills. Dates for these will be announced soon.
How you can publish with The Conversation Africa
• Engage with The Conversation Africa editors when they contact you directly to write about your research area and expertise. The articles are short, ± 800 to 1 000 words.
• Pitch your idea for an article directly to The Conversation Africa here
• Register as an author, and set up a profile
• Engage with the Communication and Research offices. Every week, The Conversation Africa sends an expert request for expert authors on topical issues to the Communication and Research offices, which can identify researchers.
- Interested researchers are put into contact with the relevant editor at The Conversation to discuss the potential article
Why should you get published on The Conversation Africa?
Benefits for researchers and academics:
• Articles on the platform help to raise the profile of academics, often leading to policy engagement with governments, businesses, industry or professional bodies, conference invitations, academic collaborations, and further media exposure.
• In the course of writing, academics get bespoke editorial assistance from the team working in consultation with them.
• The opportunity to take part in a hands-on science communication writing workshop.
• Readership and republication metrics for each published article.
• A global readership with up to 1,2 million readers monthly.
Benefits for Communication and Marketing and the Research office:
• Provides well-curated, ready-to-use communication material for websites and social media.
• Helps to profile the work of the university for marketing, communication, and awareness.
• Provides media exposure to the talent pool of UFS academics and researchers.
Benefits for and across the university:
• Shines a spotlight on the excellent research and innovation at the UFS.
• Demonstrates the UFS’ commitment to facilitating greater engagement with society and promoting interdisciplinary communications.
• Visibility for the institution and researchers nationally and globally.
• Access to institutional analytics, including detailed data on the content published by UFS researchers.
Contact The Conversation Africa:
To arrange departmental meetings and introductory sessions to The Conversation Africa team, contact: Pfungwa Nyamukachi, Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations Manager:
pfungwa.nyamukachi@theconversation.com