VCU’s Wright Center Offers New Series to Help Researchers Communicate Their Impact
Summary
If you don’t share your research, who will? Groundbreaking work only achieves its full potential when it is shared effectively, allowing it to live outside the lab and change the world. To help scientists bridge the gap between academic study and real-world application, VCU’s Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research is proud to introduce the Research Impact Seminar Series. Running from January through May 2026, this series provides a strategic toolkit to help researchers articulate the value of their work, connect with diverse audiences, and ensure their discoveries make a lasting impact.
Article
Kickoff Session: January 21, 2026
Topic: Don’t Let Your Research Die in an Ivory Tower
Speaker: Sara Serritella, Director of Communications, Institute for Translational Medicine, University of Chicago
Capture the public’s attention in this high-energy session led by award-winning journalist and lecturer Sara Serritella. As a communications expert, she teaches physicians and researchers how to communicate their science with clarity and energy, ensuring that everyone—not just academics—can benefit from healthcare and scientific advances.
Register for the January 21 session here
Upcoming Sessions (Titles Subject to Change)
Register for the sessions below now to get these important dates on your calendar. We also invite you to bookmark this page and check back often, as we will update these sessions with final details and any title changes.
February 11, 2026 | Creating a Research Impact Statement
Focus: Mastering the art of crafting compelling impact statements to win funding and convey value to diverse audiences.
Speaker: Melissa Throckmorton, MPA (VCU)
Register for the February 11 session here
March 18, 2026 | Conveying Research Impact to Investors
Focus: Navigating technology commercialization, industry collaborations, and supporting startups.
Speaker: Dr. Ivelina Metcheva (VCU)
Register for the March 18 session here
April 8, 2026 | Communicating Research to Impact Policy
Focus: Translating findings into public health outcomes and engaging policymakers to address social and environmental conditions.
Speaker: Dr. Steven Woolf, M.D., M.P.H. (VCU)
Register for the April 8 session here
May 13, 2026 | Research Impact in the Community
Focus: Strategies for bi-directional community impact, building trust, and ensuring research is responsive to local needs.
Speakers: Drs. Elizabeth Chin Prom-Wormley, Melanie K. Bean, and Gretchen N. Neigh (VCU)
Register for the May 13 session here
May 27, 2026 | Evaluating Your Research Impact
Focus: Tools and techniques to measure and demonstrate the real-world effects of your work, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Speakers: Emily Zimmerman, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H.; and Maria Thomson, Ph.D.
Register for the May 27 session here
Developing strong communication skills does more than broaden the reach of your research; it creates a “virtuous cycle.” When you effectively generate and share your impact, you invite new partnerships, collaborations, and scientific research that lead to the next generation of discovery.
We look forward to seeing you at this transformative series!
https://blogs.vcu.edu/cctr/2026/01/12/vcus-wright-center-offers-new-series-to-help-researchers-communicate-their-impact/
