How to speak to the media

Congratulations, you’ve been contacted by a journalist to talk about your latest MS! Now what?

First, stay calm. Second, remember that conducting effective interviews is one part art and many parts science. While no two interviews will ever be the same, there are go-to tactics that can help you take the wheel and steer the conversation towards your messaging goals. Veteran science journalist Roland Knauer will unpack the tricks for piloting a successful interview.

He will draw on 35 years of experience as a nature reporter for German magazines and newspapers including Spektrum, Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He knows our topic, he knows what makes a damn good quote, and he’s ready to help you get the most out of your ten minutes with a journalist.

Format: There’s no better way to learn than to do. We invite five people to sit for a 10-minute interview with Roland. You will send Roland an MS + a 300-word press release a week before the workshop. On the day, Roland will conduct a live interview with you and then provide you with feedback and tips to improve. Others are free to join the audience and learn by watching. But due to time, we have room for five live interviews. Together they will showcase the various ways interviews can progress depending on the subject matter.

How to join: If you are interested in attending as an audience member or signing up for a live interview, please email Carla asap. Roland will select the five papers based on diversity of subject matter and scientists. If you would like to be considered, please email Carla with an expression of interest by Monday 18 March. Deadline to submit your MS and press release is March 24th.

This workshop is open to MPI-AB staff and students only. It will be held at a venue TBA and it will be possible to join remotely.