The Office for Research Communications develops and implements communications and marketing strategies to promote the impact of research, scholarship and creative activities at UA, while also generating awareness of emerging opportunities for the campus research community.
Involve Us Early
Planning a communications project, major event, new website or significant announcement?
Contact Research Communications early in the process. We can help identify the right audience, approach, channels, timeline and level of support before plans are finalized. Early coordination is especially helpful for complex projects, external communications, major events, new or substantially redesigned websites, or significant research initiatives.
Support Requests
Research Communications offers a variety of services to help Division for Research units as needed. Please complete a form below to initiate a new project.
Have a research achievement, milestone or story to share? Send us the details for consideration.
For communications planning, marketing materials, graphics, email, promotional items, web projects and other communications needs.
For conferences, symposia, meetings, receptions and other events requiring VPR approval and planning or logistical support.
Services
Communications & Editorial
Research Communications helps Division for Research units plan and develop communications that inform audiences, promote research and programs, and support division priorities. We can help determine the appropriate message, audience and channel, not just produce a requested deliverable.
Services include:
- Communications planning and consultation
- Research stories, announcements and features
- Email communications and newsletters
- Social media content and strategy
- Messaging and editorial review
- Promotion of research programs, initiatives and opportunities
- Coordination with UA News and other University communications channels, when appropriate
Have a story or announcement? Contact us early, particularly for significant research outcomes, partnerships, initiatives or other developments that may have broader communications potential. Our primary focus at this time is identifying stories for UA News.
Marketing & Design
We develop and coordinate visual and marketing materials that support Division for Research programs, events and initiatives while maintaining University and division brand standards.
Services include:
- Consultation on branding and visual communications
- Flyers, posters and digital graphics
- Brochures, one-pagers and informational materials
- Banners, signage and event materials
- Invitations and promotional graphics
- Promotional items and branded materials
- Conference and engagement materials
Please provide final, approved content whenever possible. Design timelines begin once required all content and project details are received.
Project Lead Times
| Project Type | Average Turnaround |
|---|---|
| Digital signage | 1 week |
| Flyer, poster, banner, brochure | 2 weeks |
| Print or digital ad | 2 weeks |
| Digital invitation | 1-2 weeks |
| Promotional items/swag | 1-2 weeks |
Printing and Brand Approval
Research Communications does not handle print orders for departments. We will provide the design files and instructions, but you will be responsible for communicating with Printing Services. We are happy to participate in that process (being CC’d on emails, assisting with the approval of proofs, etc.), but the order will need to come from your department due to shipping and payment concerns.
Your department will also be responsible for submitting design files to UA’s branding approval process, which may take a few days and is required to purchase anything with UA logos and identifiers using UA funds.
Events & Programs
Research Communications provides planning, communications and logistical support for designated Division for Research events and programs. The level of support varies based on the event's size, audience, complexity and strategic purpose.
Support may include:
- Event planning and consultation
- Venue and scheduling coordination
- Registration and attendee communications
- Vendor and service coordination
- Event promotion
- Invitations, programs, signage and other materials
- Day-of-event planning and logistics
- Coordination with University partners
Please involve us before dates, venues or major event details are finalized when substantial support will be needed.
What We Need to Get Started
When submitting an event request, provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Estimated budget
- Primary point of contact
- Proposed date and time
- Preferred location or venue needs
Web & Digital
Research Communications manages the Division for Research's web presence and provides web strategy, content development, governance and support for division offices, institutes and centers.
We can help with:
- Website content updates
- Website development
- Content strategy and information architecture
- Web accessibility and University standards
- Analytics and performance assessment
- Emma platform administration and user access
- Consultation on new web projects and digital tools
Submit web requests through the Communications Project Request form. For major projects or questions about a new site, contact Research Communications before beginning development.
Emma access: Division units that need an Emma subaccount or user access should request it through Research Communications at orc@ua.edu. We coordinate account setup and administer the platform for the division.