Publicity for Research

Abstract

THE director of a large industrial research association remarked recently that adequate publicity is one of the weak spots of research work, and that research is the Cinderella of the scientific world in this respect. The reason for this state of affairs is probably that a large proportion of research directors lack the ‘publicity complex’. As the journalist would say, “they bulge with news, but are sublimely oblivious that it is news”. If the public, that is, the tax-payers, are to be interested in, and educated about, research work and its value to them, it is necessary that they should be provided with a constant stream of facts to stimulate that interest. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and most individual research associations issue annual reports packed with matter of interest. These reports, in a condensed form, receive a modified measure of publicity through the Press, which is all to the good. But an annual stimulus, however good, is totally-inadequate to keep alive that interest in research work which is so desirable and necessary. In between the issue of these annual reports, much must occur which is of interest to the public. In the spring of this year, the Association of Scientific Workers came to the conclusion that the time is ripe for establishing a Publicity Bureau for the research associations in Great Britain, and circularised the directors of research associations that it was prepared to arrange for free publicity in the Press on all matters referring to research work which were ripe for release. On the whole, the idea was favourably received; and the Bureau has secured a certain amount of publicity for research work. Much more might be accomplished if those in charge of research would bear in mind the desirability of stimulating public interest in their work if public money is to continue to be granted for its maintenance.