Promoting Business History, Promoting Ourselves: Mastering the Techniques of Media Relations

Business history often finds a receptive audience among the general public, thanks to television, newspapers, and the Internet. Such venues offer business historians an opportunity to share their knowledge with a large and diverse audience, and to correct errors that may creep into popular portrayals of complex subjects.  Moreover, universities and providers of external funding are increasingly likely to ask us to demonstrate the public impact of our research.  Yet few business historians have enjoyed the opportunity to polish their skills in media relations.  The subject is rarely discussed in graduate schools and universities seldom offer guidance in this area.

This workshop will focus on ways in which academics at all levels, from graduate students to full professors, can make themselves more visible to the media.  Topics will include working with university public relations and outreach offices, making contact with media outlets, acting as a consultant for television shows, preparing for interviews, and answering interview questions when the camera is rolling.  Workshop leaders with experience in media relations will help participants respond more effectively to media inquiries and to better demonstrate the public impact of their scholarship.

Chair: Rowena Olegario, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Panelists:
    Albert Churella, Kennesaw State University
    Per Hansen, Copenhagen Business School
    Richard Sylla, New York University and Chairman, Museum of American Finance 
    Natalya Vinokurova, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania