Increasingly researchers are expected to communicate their work, demonstrate impact and engage with users – especially in the applied field of international development.

'There is recognition that researchers are not expected to be expert communicators, but that they should be encouraged to work with communication specialists. Specialists come from a broad range of sectors …… and each is equipped to reach specific audiences.' DFID Research Strategy 2008-2013 Background Paper ‘Research Communication’ April 2008.

A major component of any communication strategy is an event – whether it is a half day All Party Parliamentary Group workshop on a specific theme for 30 to 40 people, or a large scale, high level, high profile conference for several hundred people at a Central Westminster venue with internationally reknowned Keynote speakers.

Events are a high profile way of getting your research findings across to a wide audience – face to face. They are good for kick-starting interest in further outputs via a dedicated website, for example. They put your programme on the map – people remember events and this can be used as a peg onto which research can hang further outputs.

The DEVents team has many years of handling all aspects of events for development impact and can take the worry out of an event for you.

We can:

• Source keynote speakers – often a main attraction for large scale events
• Engage with key policy people on a range of development sectors
• Work with you on building event content
• Source suitable venues
• Coordinate publicity and invitations
• Handle all registration issues
• Produce follow up reports from the event
• Liaise with the media