Flinders staff are encouraged to register as media experts with the Media Centre for Education Research Australia (MCERA), the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) and with Flinders own media and communications team to help promote research in the mainstream media.
By registering as a media expert you will be helping to improve public understanding of key issues in research and education.
MCERA, AusSMC and Flinders’ Office of Communication and Engagement (OCE) are media access points for a wide range of research expertise, and can help academics find a platform for their research by providing the media with commentators on topical issues and advancing issues in the media that have not had adequate or balanced media coverage.
About the Media Centre for Education Research Australia (MCERA)
MCERA is hosted at Flinders University and is an independent and impartial organisation that contributes to informed public debate on major issues relating to education research.
The Centre aims to improve the level and calibre of discussion on education-related issues and promote an evidence-based approach to the policies, systems, priorities and methods of educating Australians.
By education, the Centre refers to research on all levels of education, including early childhood and tertiary education as well as the funding of education.
The centre was established because of a concern that too often only a few voices are heard in the media talking about education and a lot of the time these voices are ideologically driven and provide outdated opinions that are not backed by experience or research.
Registering with MCERA will help academics promote their research and expertise. The Centre does not provide the media with staff contact details without contacting staff and getting their approval first.
Staff can register to be a media expert via the MCERA website.
About the Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC)
The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) is an independent, not-for-profit service for the news media, giving journalists direct access to evidence-based science and expertise.
AusSMC aims to increase the quantity and accuracy of science reporting in the media, and believes scientists can make a big impact on the public’s understanding of science.
The Centre works with journalists to help them cover science as well as identify the science angles in everyday news stories and works with the scientific community to help them interact more effectively with the media and ensure that their voices are heard on issues of national importance.
By building bridges that help the scientific community to engage with journalists, AusSMC supports scientists to take more initiative and play a leading role in informing public debate.
Scientists who join the AusSMC expert database have a stronger voice on the issues of the day and contribute to a growing movement that encourages and supports evidence-based reporting.
AusSMC runs the Scimex Find an Expert database and staff can register to join via the Scimex website.
About Flinders’ media and communications team
The role of Flinders’ media and communications team is to enhance the University’s reputation and promote its achievements by proactively engaging with state, national and international media.
The team assists Flinders staff to develop their communication skills through media advice and training and ensures that the Flinders community is well informed about student and staff activities.
The team can be contacted via the Office of Communication and Engagement.