Working with the Media: The Royal Astronomical Society Experience

Abstract

One of the Royal Astronomical Society’s objectives is to pro­mote astronomy and geophysics. To achieve this more effectively through the media, the Society appointed its first public relations officer in 1989. The R.AS’s work with the media has focused on encouraging interest in astron­omy and assisting the whole UK research community. The main activities are issuing and circulating press notices and providing a telephone/e-mail enquiry service. Keys to success have included: press officers who are knowl­edgeable about the subject and able to act with authority as spokesmen rather than being intermediaries; a flexible approach and availability out­side normal office hours; the compilation and maintenance of an up-to-date list of media contacts; co-operation with other organisations; strong links with both the international research community and the media.