Research Impact Fellows Program

The University of Maryland Research Impact Fellows Program is a 9-month collaborative program designed to equip research leaders at the University of Maryland with the skills and resources needed to communicate about their research findings and expertise to general audiences and key stakeholders.

Inaugural cohort of fellows — The inaugural cohort stands with Vice President for Research Gregory F. Ball. From left to right: Hal Daumé III, Rachel Romeo, Gregory F. Ball, Crystal Davis, Bianca Bersani, and Casey Dawkins

Members of the program participate in interactive, results-focused sessions covering areas such as:

developing key messages
interacting with news media
government relations
social media best practices
visual communications

Increasing the researchers' confidence in engaging with the media and communicating with general audiences is a core goal of the program. Members of the inaugural cohort have been quoted in external media outlets, participated in panels on Capitol Hill, and testified before the state legislature.

At the conclusion of the program, participating faculty are designated as University of Maryland Research Impact Fellows and leave with tailored materials that include a media pitch plan, a draft Op-Ed piece and a social media strategy.