Helping Higher Ed Successfully Share Its Stories
How can universities and colleges let folks outside their walls know how their research is making an impact? Here’s how Casual Astronaut helped three different academic institutions do just that.
Translating news from the academic world to the general public isn’t always easy — especially when you’re dealing with complex concepts like informatics or aviation. Here’s how Casual Astronaut helped shine a (consumer-friendly) spotlight on big breakthroughs that are changing the world.
1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Compelling visuals and in-depth storytelling can help readers find the meaning and real-world impact in complex concepts.
Embry-Riddle was looking to showcase both its groundbreaking research and its position as an innovator in the aeronautical field. To do this, Embry-Riddle partnered with Casual Astronaut to launch ResearchER magazine, which provides in-depth coverage of its latest research projects that are changing the game. Through consumer-friendly articles, imagery, infographics and more, readers are offered a Wired-esque look into the latest innovations coming out of the institution.
2. The University of Arizona
A broader campaign message can be underscored and expounded upon through quality, relevant content that is distributed via multiple channels to reach a variety of audiences.
When U of A launched its new branding in 2014, it was accompanied by a new tagline: Bigger Questions. Better Answers. Bear Down. With this new motto came the desire to tell how university students and staff are pushing boundaries, looking for innovative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. Casual Astronaut designed a content-focused microsite to serve as the hub of an ongoing storytelling campaign that targets multiple audiences, including faculty and staff, alumni, media, business leaders and other influencers. The content is distributed through social media, digital ads and more.
3. Washington University in St. Louis
Smart, engaging content offers readers value and insight — not just about your institution but the larger world it inhabits.
When the Institute for Informatics launched at Washington University School of Medicine, it faced two challenges: Not only was it a brand-new organization in need of a visual identity, but the fairly young field of informatics itself continues to carve out its place in the healthcare and life sciences worlds. As part of the new website designed and built by Casual Astronaut, a content hub was deemed crucial to spreading the word about the work being done within the institute and the field. Here, long-form pieces explain the world of big data in simple, easy-to-understand terms.