130. Listen To This If… you’re struggling to find the story in your research

Everyone keeps telling you to “tell a story” about your research… but what if you genuinely can’t see one?

In this short episode, Jen and Michael tackle one of the most common (and quietly stressful) challenges in science communication: finding the story in your own work.

Their reassurance? If you’re looking for a story, you’re already on the right track.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why story = a problem–solution dynamic

• How to identify the real problem your research is addressing

• A simple sentence starter: “This matters because…”

• The powerful question: “What has changed because of my work?”

• Why your personal motivation might be part of the story

• How brainstorming, sticky notes, conversations (and even AI tools) can help uncover new angles

• Why audience and purpose determine which story you should tell

One research project can contain dozens of possible stories. The trick isn’t finding the story — it’s choosing the right one for the people you’re speaking to.

And most importantly: there is always a story. It might just take a little curiosity and creativity to uncover it.

You can find more great advice here:

• https://reshub.uts.edu.au/whats-on/news/how-nail-your-research-story

• https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/find-hero-energy-story-your-research

• https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2018/05/21/writing-a-page-turner-how-to-tell-a-story-in-your-scientific-paper/

Transcript: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/yrs2