Enhance your policy impact by writing for The Conversation

In the first MetroPolis supported event in 2025, we were pleased to welcome Sam Phelps, Commissioning Editor at The Conversation, to meet with our academics online to unveil how they can write for this publication.

For those unfamiliar, The Conversation is the world’s largest publisher of research-based content, blending academic insight with professional journalism. It operates as a non-profit organisation, producing independent news analysis by academic researchers. Its global reach spans eight editions across 12 countries, and is backed by over 500 university partners. The Conversation Is therefore a powerful tool for academics to share their expertise with a worldwide audience.

This event attracted the interest of a number of academics from different research backgrounds, with Lauren Bridgestock describing the session as “really useful” and thanked us for organising this event. Senior Lecturer Dr Gabriele Aroni found the session highly informative and shared how it had helped inspire several potential news articles for The Conversation. Following this event, Sam Phelps was pleased for us to share further details about writing for The Conversation, and we will share below how academics with a specific interest in policy influencing may find this publication invaluable.

I’m an academic with policy ideas, why should I write for The Conversation?

Writing for The Conversation is potentially an invaluable opportunity for academics to enhance their policy impact. It enables you to present your research and consequent policy recommendations on a widely read platform in a manner that is accessible and engaging to policy-making audiences, such as civil servants, and other important stakeholders such as media journalists. Contributing to The Conversation can significantly amplify the visibility of your policy recommendations, and also lead to surprising and exciting opportunities, such as being invited onto podcasts, to speak at events, or have their work republished in national newspaper publications. For example, . For instance, two Manchester Met psychologists wrote about the “Mandela effect,” attracting over 1.2 million reads and republication in The Independent and the i newspaper. Another MMU researcher gained notable attention for an article on why “friendly” dogs might not always be harmless, leading to coverage in The Times. These examples highlight the platform’s ability to elevate research into broader public discussions.

Furthermore, by writing for this online publication, The Conversation shares with you detailed statistics that allow you to quantify the impact of your research. It enables you to see how many people have read, shared and commented on your articles, allowing you to measure the impact of your research and policy recommendations. The Conversation also offers robust editorial support and training to further develop your journalistic writing skills.

How should I write an article for The Conversation?

Good articles for The Conversation often balance academic depth with reader accessibility. Ideal articles include expert commentary on current affairs, insights into new or unexplored research, and narratives that address timeless or counterintuitive questions that attract the interest of readers. An example standout contribution came from a Manchester Met researcher who wrote a piece exploring the practicality of human settlement on Mars, which resulted in a radio interview in Vancouver. Another article, analysing Disney’s Cristóbal Balenciaga series, led to an interview with Le Monde. When it comes to writing an article on policy, it would be wise to examine a hot topic in the headlines, apply your research knowledge and expertise, and compose a article that strikes the right balance between writing for academic and the general public.

How do I start writing for The Conversation?

Getting an article published in The Conversation is straightforward. You can pitch your ideas directly to editors or respond to call-outs for expert commentary. Utilising your university press office can also be a strategic way to refine and submit your ideas. Once your pitch is accepted, The Conversation’s editors will guide you through the drafting process, ensuring your piece is polished and impactful. By focusing on clear, jargon-free communication and emphasising your expertise, your writing can resonate with a global audience.