Introduction to UBC Media Relations

What we do:

Through traditional and emerging news media, we try to reach:

Peer-reviewed research that is breakthrough in its field or has the potential for significant public good
Research published in journals or presented at conferences that has the potential for media interest
Expert commentary on current events that are of ongoing public interest
Government announcements for on-campus events that are of media interest
Donor or award announcements that align with UBC’s strategic priorities and are of potential media interest
Strategically important announcements for the university or significant faculty recruitment successes
Significant student-related news or initiatives

News releases: timed to a journal publication, conference presentation, live event
Expert advisories: experts available to comment on news of the day
Media advisories: invitation to an event that media can attend
Q&As: topics or findings not tied to a journal publication
Feature stories: significant human-interest angle
Op-eds: help with editing and placement in newspapers and The Conversation
Pitches: direct email or phone pitches to select reporters
News wires: distribution of news via EurekAlert!
Further amplification through social media, internal communications and brand websites

Alert UBC media relations or your faculty communications staff about upcoming papers or story ideas. Ideally, please let us know at least two weeks in advance of publication so we have time to prepare media materials. Please send us an email answering:
- What did you do? What have you found?
- Why will this matter to the general public?
- What are the next steps in this research? What impact will your findings have?
Alert UBC media relations about breaking or upcoming news in your area that you could like to comment on
Sign up for the UBC Experts Guide

We offer one-on-one or group as well as online media training sessions that cover: