Why Every Scientist Needs an Op-Ed Strategy
The most untapped potential of researchers is their expertise. It's not that they aren't publishing, it's that academic publishing doesn't take them far enough. When science executives and administrative leaders build the capability for scientists across their teams to publish op-eds, they institute a dependable way to capture more value from their research efforts and create greater impact in the world. The people who could move science into the wider world, the ones making policy decisions or setting the budget for research institutions, aren't reading academic journals. But they are paying attention to the news media. Op-eds are the bridge between science and the rest of the world, and for leaders serious about strategic science communication, they're one of the most direct tools available.
What makes op-eds different from journalism?
Think of an interview, or a news article. It is written by someone else, a journalist that decides what to include, and how things are framed. Op-eds are the highest-quality thought-leadership articles in the popular media, containing enough nuance to share science accurately, and they're authored by you. For a researcher with expertise, being able to ensure that your insights are communicated accurately, while influencing the world beyond academic publishing, is no small thing.Having an op-ed published at a credible outlet can open doors and connect you with opportunities and people genuinely interested in your work, based upon the merit of your work.
The influence is documented
The most frequently cited study on the influence of op-eds comes from 2018, when Yale and Cato Institute researchers interviewed 5,700 people on their opinions before and after reading an op-ed. 65–70% of readers were more open to a new argument after reading one, compared to 50% in a control group that hadn't. The shift had everything to do with how the argument was presented and the reader's ability to connect with it personally.Finding the right placement for your op-ed can draw in new readers, change the course of policy decisions that affect your research, and create opportunities down the road. Diana Brazzell, the co-founder of the research media group Footnote attests to their influence saying, "These publications can exponentially increase the influence of a scholar's research."
Op-Eds Open Doors
A well-placed op-ed provides coverage, credibility, and an opening all at once. For science leaders developing an Op-Ed strategy for CEOs and researchers alike, it's one of the clearest expressions of executive thought leadership strategy in practice, turning institutional expertise into public influence. Researchers who treat op-eds as part of their work not only reach wider audiences but actively build a public profile that translates their expertise beyond publication. And it all starts with an op-ed.
Interested in going deeper? Download Etalia's full guide How to Turn Your Research Insights Into Op-Eds built specifically for scientists and researchers.
