Testimonials

There are many benefits that come from engaging with the media. Here are a few of them.

I've done media interviews to build a business, acquire clients and employees, and for purposes of advocacy. Communication is an essential element of leadership and learning.

Paul Bates, dean, DeGroote School of Business

The public pays my salary; they also fund the granting agencies.  When they look to the University for perspectives on pressing social questions, I feel a responsibility to try and provide an answer.  I see it as an extension of my teaching, of sharing the University's trove of knowledge with the surrounding society.

Peter Graefe, assistant professor, Political Science

For better or worse, the media plays a role in educating society. Unfortunately, the trend in relation to First Nations issues falls in the latter category. I've found that writing op-eds can help extend education beyond the classroom. Despite the often laborious nature of article writing, the dividends generally compensate.

Hayden King, lecturer, Indigenous Studies

People in society are the ultimate customers for research and researchers must make sure society is informed, engaged and enthusiastic about the work being done.

Hertzel Gerstein, professor, and Population Health Institute Chair in Diabetes Research

I consider communicating about research to be a really important part of my job, and the media enables me to reach a much wider audience, beyond just my students and other academics reading scientific journals.  Keeping the public informed about the world of scientific research is vital, and letting the world know about all of the really innovative things that are going on at McMaster helps us all.

Karin Humphreys, assistant professor, Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

Interviews with newspaper and television media allowed my research to reach a much wider public audience than would have been otherwise possible, resulting in increased public and academic awareness of my research. This has not only contributed to fulfilling the mandate for public outreach associated with my research funding, but also to raising the profile of McMaster University within Canada.

Greg Slater, assistant professor, Geography & Earth Sciences

My research is funded by SSHRC, and is intended to benefit the public interest, so I really like talking to the media about my research. I get nervous before interviews, but it's really the easiest way for my research findings to reach a big audience.

Catherine Connolly, assistant professor, DeGroote School of Business