Project: Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership Training Programme
“The WTTP at Newcastle University was set up to build a culture and environment where all researchers could get involved in translational research. As part of the Mentorship and Career Development theme, Joanne from Dolezal Consulting ran a series of training modules to help our researchers strengthen their communication skills and make better use of social media to share their work and support their research careers. The sessions were well attended, and the feedback we received was very positive.”
Dr Dale Athey, Senior Translator in Residence, Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership at Newcastle University (2020 – 2023)
Communication for early career researchers
Building confidence and communication capability in early-stage researchers through a programme of tailored workshops and online training.
Who
The Wellcome Trust supports science to solve urgent health challenges and is committed to ensuring research delivers meaningful benefits to society.
Through the Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership Programme (WTTP) at Newcastle University, the organisation aimed to strengthen the early translational landscape and enable researchers to move discoveries beyond academia into real-world healthcare impact.
The Challenge
Early-career researchers often have strong scientific expertise but limited opportunity to develop the communication and positioning skills required for translational success.
The WTTP sought to:
– Increase institutional readiness for translation
– Help researchers understand what translation means in practice
– Provide relevant, accessible and practical support
– Strengthen engagement across its growing network
The Approach
A bespoke blended training programme was delivered in Spring–Summer 2022, combining:
- Small-group workshop series (three cohorts of 8, 6 and 10 participants)
- Bite-sized “Lunch & Learn” online webinars for the wider research community
- Optional 1-2-1 coaching support
Communication for Early Career Researchers
Three interactive live workshops guided participants through a structured journey:
Stand Out from the Crowd – clarifying impact statements and defining the unique value of their research
Reach Hearts and Minds – adapting communication for funders, collaborators and non-specialist audiences
Convince Them! – strengthening presentation skills and delivering concise, compelling research pitches
Six online sessions explored social media, professional visibility, networking and practical marketing principles tailored for busy researchers:
- How to develop your personal profile on LinkedIn
- How to build your professional and scientific network on social media
- How to post, reshare and create content for social media
- How to find your next job, project, sponsor or funder on social media
- How to use multimedia content and social media platforms effectively
- Lean Start Up: online marketing plan for busy researchers
The Outcome
The programme strengthened confidence, clarity and capability across the WTTP network. Researchers developed:
- Clearer messaging around their research impact
- Greater confidence in presenting and defending their work
- Practical tools to engage funders, collaborators and industry
For the WTTP, the initiative supported the development of a stronger translational culture and provided measurable feedback to inform future training and development provision.