Publicising research results

All University of Tampere Master’s theses, Licentiate’s theses and Doctoral dissertations can be found listed in the University Library TAMCAT database. The University Library also publishes Master’s theses, Licentiate’s theses and Doctoral dissertations electronically. The Library has given detailed directions on how to publish electronically. The Library publishes the theses and dissertations electronically if the author has given the permission.

The Doctoral candidate is required by the University to give a press release both in English and in Finnish concerning the dissertation at least two weeks before the public defence. The directions and the form are available on-line at the University Library page. The details given are used by the University when informing the media of the coming Doctoral dissertation.

Sometimes the media contact the Doctoral candidate when they see an interesting topic. In interview, the researcher most often has to condense the research results into a few sentences.

In more extensive interviews, some preparation may be useful:

• The topics under discussion can be agreed with the journalist beforehand.
• Speculations and scientific jargon should be avoided, concentrating rather on 2-3 central issues.
• It is a good idea to ask the journalist to send the story to be read before publication. The researcher may request amendments to those sentences where s/he is cited.