Communicating with External Audiences 

Reaching external audiences is essential to promoting the vital research, education and clinical missions of the university. Health Sciences Communications team members work directly with researchers, administrators and health professionals to coordinate media outreach, news releases, feature stories and interviews with print, radio, television and online reporters.

Formats

Health Sciences Communications uses a variety of tools and formats to widely share Health Sciences stories and enhance the university’s reputation, including (but not limited to):

• News Release: a short, lay-friendly alert about a potential story. News releases provide the basic information needed to pique a journalist’s interest, hopefully resulting in interview requests and original reporting. The intended audience is members of the lay media. Approximately 600-800 words. Distributed through UC San Diego Today, social media and news wires.
• Expert Alert: a short pitch that is emailed to the media directly rather than posted online. These alerts present our experts as valuable sources for media in relation to current and timely news items. The intended audience is members of the lay and scientific media. Approximately 400 words. Distributed through focused pitches to select reporters.
• Research Alert: a very short version of a research-related press release. Approximately 300 words. Distributed through UC San Diego Today, social media and news wires.
• Feature Story: long format stories that go in depth on a specific topic or about something relevant to the wider UC San Diego Health Sciences enterprise. Intended audiences include the general public, internal audiences (i.e. faculty, staff, students), donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders. Approximately 1000-3000 words. Includes multimedia support. Distributed through UC San Diego Today, social media, local websites, magazines (as appropriate), etc.
• Photo Essay: a format that engages audiences with visually-rich storytelling. Intended audiences include the general public, internal audiences (i.e. faculty, staff, students), donors, alumni and other key stakeholders. Word count is flexible. Includes multimedia support. Distributed through UC San Diego Today and social media.
• Local Story: a story developed and distributed within Health Sciences schools, centers and institutes. Reach out to your unit communications contact for more information.

Submission

To submit your news, story idea or published research, send an email to Health Sciences Communications at healthscicomm@ucsd.edu. We will review your submission and respond within three business days about next steps, including the appropriate format and distribution channel(s) based on audience and timing.

Accepted topics include: published research and clinical trials, grants, awards, accomplishments and honors, profiles, general interest stories, alumni/student updates, etc.

Information to Include with Research Submissions:

• Name of journal
• Anticipated publication date (Note: we are well-versed in journal embargo policies; please notify us as soon as your paper is accepted)
• Introduction and focus of the research (what gaps in knowledge were you trying to address?)
• Concise summary of key findings/observations, including clinical implications (in lay audience terms)
• Conclusions and/or recommendations 
• Future research and next steps
• Involvement of UC San Diego Health patients (if any)

Writing Style

All stories are written to reflect the university’s unique brand tone, and adhere to the UC San Diego Editorial Style Guide.