How do you share your mechanical engineering research with stakeholders?

1 Know your audience

Before you prepare your research report, presentation, or poster, you need to understand who your audience is and what they expect from you. Depending on their background, level of expertise, and interest, you may need to adjust your language, tone, and content accordingly. For example, if you are sharing your research with other mechanical engineers, you can use more technical terms and details, but if you are addressing a general audience, you may need to simplify your concepts and use more examples and analogies. You should also consider the purpose and goal of your communication, and tailor your message to highlight the most relevant and important aspects of your research.

2 Choose the right format

Depending on the context and purpose of your communication, you may need to use different formats and media to share your mechanical engineering research. For instance, if you are writing a research paper for a journal or a conference, you need to follow the specific guidelines and standards of the publication or the event, and use a formal and academic style. If you are creating a presentation or a poster for a workshop or a seminar, you need to use a clear and concise format, and use visual aids and graphs to illustrate your points. If you are making a video or a podcast for a website or a social media platform, you need to use a more engaging and interactive format, and use sound effects and animations to capture the attention of your viewers or listeners.

3 Use clear and simple language

Regardless of the format and audience of your communication, you need to use clear and simple language to share your mechanical engineering research. You should avoid using jargon, acronyms, or abbreviations that may confuse or alienate your audience, and explain any technical terms or concepts that may not be familiar to them. You should also use short and simple sentences and paragraphs, and avoid complex or ambiguous expressions. You should use active voice and action verbs, and avoid passive voice and nominalizations. You should also use transitions and signposts to guide your audience through your logic and structure, and emphasize the main points and conclusions of your research.

4 Provide evidence and examples

To support and validate your mechanical engineering research, you need to provide evidence and examples that demonstrate your methods, results, and implications. You should use reliable and relevant sources of data and information, and cite them properly according to the format and style of your communication. You should also use tables, charts, diagrams, or photos to present your data and information in a clear and visual way, and explain how they relate to your research question and objectives. You should also use examples and case studies to illustrate your arguments and recommendations, and show how they apply to real-world situations and problems.

5 Engage your audience

To make your mechanical engineering research more interesting and appealing to your audience, you need to engage them in your communication. You should use a conversational and friendly tone, and address your audience directly using second person pronouns and questions. You should also use stories and anecdotes to connect with your audience emotionally and personally, and show how your research relates to their needs and interests. You should also use humor and creativity to make your communication more fun and memorable, and avoid being boring or monotonous. You should also invite feedback and questions from your audience, and respond to them politely and constructively.

6 Review and revise your communication

Before you share your mechanical engineering research with your audience, you need to review and revise your communication to make sure it is clear, accurate, and effective. You should check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting, and correct any errors or mistakes. You should also check your content, logic, and structure, and eliminate any irrelevant or redundant information. You should also check your tone, style, and voice, and ensure that they are consistent and appropriate for your audience and purpose. You should also ask for feedback and suggestions from your peers, mentors, or experts, and incorporate them into your communication if necessary.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?