WORKSHOP

Peer-reviewed academic journals remain a cornerstone of scholarly communication, but they are not the only way research can create impact, nor are they always the most accessible option for practitioner-researchers. Practice-based research, findings and projects can be disseminated through a range of channels such as videos, posters, exhibitions, performances, and digital artefacts (NTROs). These creative forms of scholarship not only engage practitioners and academics but can also help connect research with communities, fellow practitioners, policymakers, industry, and the public.

Despite their growing popularity, NTROs often face challenges in that they can be harder to assess for impact, are less visible in traditional discovery system, and under-represented in institutional communication strategies. Also, while journal articles are a recognisable form of output, getting institutional or managerial support for other forms of research translation can be challenging and can be seen as a ‘nice to have’ rather than an essential part of scholarly communication.

However, with professional and practicing librarians often too time poor or lacking the resources for large-scale research projects, NTROs can be a useful middle ground for disseminating research and findings from within practice-based projects. Effective research translation through NTROs requires skills in story telling, media design, and strategic communication. In this workshop, we seek to guide participants through the whys and the hows of producing practice-based NTROs for Librarians in all sectors. We will discuss the importance of research communication to professional staff, academics and our institutions, discuss the reach and importance of research beyond traditional academic means, and why you might choose to produce an NTRO over a journal article. Attendees will have the opportunity to develop an elevator pitch for a past, current or future project, and to draft ideas for NTROs such as posters, video storyboards or infographics.

This session will build confidence and capacity among LIS practitioners to:

• Understand the diversity of NTROs and articulate their value within research ecosystems.

• Identify ways to integrate NTROs into institutional communications and impact strategies.

• Apply storytelling and design principles to create accessible, engaging research outputs.

• Demonstrate practical skills in developing a poster concept or video storyboard.

• Develop approaches for ensuring NTROs are discoverable through repositories, metadata, and identifiers.

This workshop is appropriate for LIS professionals from all sectors who are interested in the dissemination of practice-based research, in the creation of NTROs, or who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of the importance of NTROs in the research landscape. We encourage participants to bring along a project (either recently completed or in development) to develop during the workshop, and there will also be opportunities to work with others.