Even if the communications department at your institution does not have a formal bureau, it probably does receive requests for speakers. As well, your department or faculty association probably receives regular requests for speakers. Let the Dean know that you are interested in public speaking. If interested in participating, you should keep the communications department or research office informed of grants and research projects in which you are involved. This is a simple and easy route to building links with science writers and the popular press.
Many universities publish a media guide listing participating faculty by area of expertise.
A reporter working on a story about water pollution, for example, would use the guide to identify an expert who can be interviewed and quoted for the story. This is a simple way to bring your name in front of the media. This service gives journalists and authors convenient access to expert sources. Reporters can query the 350,000 experts listed on ProfNet by telephone, fax or e-mail, at no charge. To find out if your institution is listed, go to the ProfNet homepage .