Mississippi State Joins ‘The Conversation’ Website for Expert Commentary and Analysis

June 11, 2018

Mississippi State is joining a leading national commentary and analysis program in which university researchers contribute articles and collaborate with journalists to produce timely content on topics grounded in academic expertise.

The Conversation aims to promote better understanding of a wide range of current affairs and complex issues for the general public. The MSU partnership is being funded by the Office of the Provost, Office of Research and Economic Development and Office of Public Affairs.

All content is published under a Creative Commons license, which means the website is not only free for anyone to read, but also may be freely republished. Therefore, articles published on The Conversation often are republished by national news outlets, such as The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, CNN, Univision, PBS Newshour, Scientific American, and others. When academic experts write one article, they may reach audiences through multiple publications, thus expanding the reach of research and connecting scholars into a network of thousands of academics who have written for The Conversation.

MSU administrators making the announcement said The Conversation will provide a valuable tool for faculty whose research and expertise position them to contribute expert insight on issues running the gamut of arts and culture, economy and business, education, environment and energy, ethics and religion, health and medicine, politics and society, as well as science and technology.

“Digital publishing brings with it urgency and immediacy and should appeal particularly to our younger academic community who are new to academic or popular publishing. This is one more tool that Mississippi State can provide our faculty to gain national exposure and to advance their scholarship among peers and the public alike,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner. “With increased focus on the outstanding work of our faculty and graduate students, this outlet can help keep Mississippi State in the national dialogue on academic achievement and advancement.”

MSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw also said he expects The Conversation will be an important outlet for shining a light on MSU research to a national and even global audience. “With the broad scope of MSU research interests that have far-reaching implications, we look forward to sharing faculty articles and building stronger connections with researchers at other institutions of higher learning.”

MSU Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter said The Conversation is a two-fold benefit to Mississippi State’s academic community. “First, it shares the research and academic prowess of our faculty and young academic talents, and second it provides an opportunity to advance MSU to the widest possible audience,” Salter said.

For more, visit theconversation.com.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

Written by Jim Laird