Getting into the kitchen: Media strategies for research
In the words of a South African researcher, the media can help in linking research to policy processes by “getting you into the kitchen, being part of the soup-making”.
About Relay
The Relay programme brings researchers and journalists together to improve media coverage of critical development issues.
Where we work
Relay works in Eastern Africa and South Asia in collaboration with Panos Network institutes. In Eastern Africa, focus countries include Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In South Asia, the focus is on India’s Northeast region and Bangladesh.
Eastern Africa
Panos Eastern Africa (PEA) leads on implementation in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
South Asia
Panos South Asia (PSA) leads on implementation in Northeast India.
Learning & ImpactView all
Relay aims to document and share knowledge, learning, and impact generated from the experience of our projects on the ground.
Engaging media on tax research in Kenya and Uganda
This case study describes a project carried out by Panos Eastern Africa in 2011 as part of the Relay Programme, to strengthen media capacity to improve reporting on tax and governance in Kenya and Uganda
Reporting research on dams and development in NE India
This case study shares learning and results from a Panos South Asia project as part of the Relay programme, to report research on dams and development in Northeast India.
UDN works with the media to report research – video
Walter Akwat, Communications Officer at the Uganda Debt Network (UDN) talks about his collaboration with journalists and explains how Relay programme has helped his research organisation appreciate the role of the media and improve their communications strategy
Practical resourcesView all
Relay produces practical resources to support academics and researchers to make their work more widely known through the media – and to help journalists use research as a source for reporting on critical development issues.
How-to guide
Topic guide
Dams and development
This topic guide aims to shed light on the issues surrounding dam construction for journalists looking to write about the topic. The topic guide considers areas of potential conflict between countries, concerns over policy guidelines regarding dam building and the socio-economic impact of displacement. It highlights research findings, recommendations and case studies – all valuable sources of information for journalists and editors.
Latest blog posts
‘Academic spring’ all year round
Wellcome Trust and the World Bank show their support for the Open Access initiative.
11 Apr | Read more
Read Relay’s new case studies!
Read the case studies from Relay projects in Northeast India and Eastern Africa, sharing results, approaches and learning on research reporting.
2 Apr | Read more
‘Dammed’ communities?
Large dams are being built to meet the energy and water needs. But if dams are to offer development opportunities for all, emphasis needs to be on benefit sharing, especially with local communities.
22 Mar | Read more
What makes a good tax story? – video
It is not very often an article on taxation is described as ‘heart-wrenching’. Yet our journalist fellow from Uganda, Alon Mwesigwa, managed to spark an online debate.
15 Mar | Read more