Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature from Coursera

If you are a researcher, academic, student, development sector professional or a practitioner who is keen to reach the research-based knowledge you have created to a wider audience, this course is for you.

Vast amounts of knowledge are produced by educational and research institutions through rigorous research and fieldwork. Yet, there is a dearth of access to this knowledge among non-academic communities (which includes practitioners, policymakers, and citizens) due to the language used. Researchers can bring visibility to grey literature if they engage with alternate public writing forms.

Newer platforms for knowledge dissemination across digital, print, and multimedia channels have made information from grey literature more available and accessible to lay readers. Using formats such as data stories, photo narratives, opinion pieces and infographics, these platforms can help researchers reach a much wider audience when they adopt newer writing techniques.

This course will:

* Provide an overview of data stories, photo narratives, opinion pieces and infographics produced from grey literature

* Teach methods to craft such pieces

* Explain how to pitch to media outlets

* Teach how social media can be leveraged to draw greater visibility to publications

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the Course

Hi, we are glad you’ve joined this course on writing and disseminating grey literature! There are nine modules, with six core modules and an assignment module, that have been designed to help you finish this course in six to eight weeks. In each of these modules, you will discover how you can draw from your research or practice/industry work to write public-facing content such as op-eds, data stories, photo narratives, and infographics. You will learn useful skills to help you develop your writing and editing skills, pitch your ideas successfully to media outlets, and use social media to disseminate your work better. This first introductory module serves as an orientation to what you can expect from this course and how you can best approach it. Take a few moments to meet the course instructors, your peers, and also to introduce yourself.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops techniques for transforming research into accessible content

Covers a wide range of public dissemination formats

Provides exposure to newer platforms for knowledge sharing

Led by experienced instructors in the field of research communication

May require writing proficiency to fully benefit from the course

Reviews summary

Disseminating research beyond academia

According to students, this course is a highly practical and valuable resource for researchers, academics, and professionals seeking to expand the reach of their work. Learners consistently praise its actionable strategies for transforming complex grey literature into accessible public pieces, such as op-eds, data stories, and infographics. The guidance on pitching to media outlets and effectively leveraging social media for dissemination is particularly highlighted as a strength. While providing a strong foundation for those new to public communication, some express that it might be too basic for experienced writers, suggesting a need for more advanced techniques or case studies. Overall, it successfully demystifies the process of making research widely accessible.

Serves as a strong starting point for those new to public writing.

"A solid introduction to making research accessible. The course provides a strong foundation."

"Still, a decent primer for beginners. It's okay if you're a complete novice, but for others, it might be too general."

"Good for researchers new to dissemination. This course provided me with the tools and confidence to effectively communicate my research."

Offers effective guidance on pitching to media and using social media.

"I particularly appreciated the tips on pitching to media outlets and the social media strategies."

"The social media module was surprisingly comprehensive and gave me new ideas. I actively use the pitching strategies learned here."

"I particularly enjoyed the practical advice on pitching to media and leveraging social media."

Provides actionable strategies for disseminating research to wider audiences.

"Excellent course, incredibly practical for academics like me. The modules on op-eds and data stories were spot-on."

"Absolutely invaluable for my career in the development sector. Learning to transform research into compelling data stories and opinion pieces has been a game-changer."

"This course truly demystifies grey literature and offers actionable strategies for wider dissemination. This is a must for any researcher."

The peer review system can yield inconsistent feedback.

"The peer review assignment was insightful, though grading others was time-consuming."

"Peer review system sometimes led to inconsistent feedback."

"The peer review was okay, but I prefer instructor feedback."

Some sections may lack depth for experienced communicators.

"The course has good intentions, but some parts felt a bit basic for someone already familiar with general communication principles."

"Found this course to be somewhat superficial. While it touches on many important aspects, it doesn't go deep enough into any one area."

"I wished for more advanced techniques or case studies. I'd have liked more detailed tutorials. It's a good starting point, but don't expect to become an expert writer from this alone."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature with these activities:

Review university-level writing principles and basics

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Familiarize yourself with core concepts of academic writing by reviewing materials from prior courses.

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Check university resources and compile materials from previous courses.
Review writing principles (e.g., structure, grammar, formatting).
Practice writing in a structured academic setting

Read and review 'Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded' by Joshua Schimel

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Gain insights into effective scientific writing and proposal development by reading and analyzing a relevant book.

View Your Future on the Faculty on Amazon

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Read and analyze the book.
Summarize key concepts and techniques.

Attend workshop on disseminating research to non-research audiences

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Attend a workshop to gain practical tips and insights on communicating research in accessible ways.

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Research and identify relevant workshops.
Attend a workshop that aligns with the course objectives.
Engage actively in discussions and exercises.

Four other activities

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Create a repository of resources on different forms of public writing

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Compile a comprehensive collection of resources, such as articles, templates, and best practices, to support your public writing endeavors.

Browse courses on Compilation

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Identify and gather relevant resources from various sources.
Organize and categorize the resources for easy access.
Share the repository with peers and colleagues.

Create a data story or photo narrative based on your research

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Apply the concepts of data storytelling or photo narrative to present your research findings in a compelling and accessible way.

Browse courses on Data Storytelling

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Select a relevant research project or topic.
Extract key data or visual elements to create the story or narrative.
Write the story or caption and incorporate appropriate visuals.

Develop a plan for a public outreach campaign based on your research

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Create a comprehensive plan to effectively communicate your research findings to the public through various channels.

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Identify target audience and objectives.
Research and select appropriate platforms and channels.
Develop a tailored message and strategy.
Plan for evaluation and impact assessment

Support high school students with writing projects

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By mentoring high school students with their writing, you can refine your communication and teaching skills in explaining complex concepts clearly and effectively.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify opportunities to mentor high school students in writing.
Provide guidance and feedback on their writing assignments.
Share best practices and techniques for effective communication.

Career center

Learners who complete Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Journalist

Data Journalists analyze and interpret data to create stories that inform the public. They use their skills in data analysis, storytelling, and writing to communicate complex information in a clear and engaging way. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Data Journalists develop the skills they need to write compelling data stories that reach a wide audience. The course covers topics such as data storytelling, data visualization, and pitching to media outlets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Journalist

Communications Manager

Communications Managers plan and execute communications strategies that promote an organization's mission and values. They use their skills in writing, editing, public relations, and social media to create and distribute content that reaches a target audience. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Communications Managers develop the skills they need to write effective communication materials, including press releases, website content, and social media posts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Manager

Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists manage the public image of organizations and individuals. They use their skills in media relations, crisis communications, and event planning to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Public Relations Specialists develop the skills they need to write persuasive press releases, media advisories, and other public relations materials.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns that promote products or services. They use their skills in marketing strategy, advertising, and public relations to reach a target audience and achieve business goals. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Marketing Managers develop the skills they need to write effective marketing materials, including website content, brochures, and social media posts.

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Content Writer

Content Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, including websites, blogs, articles, and social media. They use their skills in writing, editing, and storytelling to communicate information in a clear and engaging way. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Content Writers develop the skills they need to write effective content that reaches a wide audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers plan and execute social media strategies that promote an organization's mission and values. They use their skills in social media marketing, content creation, and community management to build and maintain a strong social media presence. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Social Media Managers develop the skills they need to write engaging social media content that reaches a target audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation that explains complex technical information. They use their skills in writing, editing, and technical communication to create user manuals, white papers, and other technical documents. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Technical Writers develop the skills they need to write clear and concise technical documentation.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers write proposals that request funding from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. They use their skills in writing, research, and project management to develop compelling proposals that win grants. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Grant Writers develop the skills they need to write effective grant proposals.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They use their skills in research, writing, and critical thinking to develop policy recommendations that inform decision-makers. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Policy Analysts develop the skills they need to write clear and concise policy briefs and other policy documents.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct research to answer questions and solve problems. They use their skills in research design, data analysis, and writing to produce research reports and other scholarly publications. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Researchers develop the skills they need to write clear and concise research reports.

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Editor

Editors review, edit, and proofread written content. They use their skills in grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that written content is clear, concise, and error-free. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Editors develop the skills they need to edit a variety of written content, including academic papers, books, and articles.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and report on news stories. They use their skills in writing, interviewing, and research to gather and report information that informs the public. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Journalists develop the skills they need to write clear and concise news articles.

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Copywriter

Copywriters write promotional and marketing materials. They use their skills in writing, persuasion, and storytelling to create content that sells products or services. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Copywriters develop the skills they need to write effective copy that reaches a target audience.

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UX Writer

UX Writers write content for user interfaces and user experiences. They use their skills in writing, usability, and information architecture to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to use. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help UX Writers develop the skills they need to write effective UX content.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop educational materials. They use their skills in instructional design, learning theory, and technology to create materials that are effective and engaging. The Writing and Disseminating Grey Literature course can help Instructional Designers develop the skills they need to write clear and concise instructional materials.

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