Khutso Ranato-Dunbar and Kat Smith
Everyone connected to the Centre for Health Policy is committed to research that makes a difference beyond academia. We want our work to inform policy, contribute to public debate, and encourage discussion across disciplines, sectors and communities. Our CHP blog is one of the simplest, and often most effective, ways of doing that. Accessible blogs can help people discover your published work, opening up conversations that might never begin through academic journals alone.
Whether you've published a new paper, attended an interesting conference, completed a project, reflected on a current policy issue or simply have an idea you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you.
If you're thinking about writing a blog, here are a few suggestions.
Start with the message, not the background
What is the one thing I want readers to remember after they've finished reading this?
Before you begin writing, ask yourself this question. Blogs work best when they focus on one clear idea rather than trying to summarise an entire research project or journal article. Think about the main insight, the surprising finding, the policy implication or the question that has stayed with you.
Think about your audience
Our readers include researchers, policymakers, practitioners, students, journalists and members of the public. Most will not be specialists in your field. Imagine explaining your work to an interested colleague from another discipline or someone you meet outside academia. Avoid unnecessary jargon, explain specialist terms where needed, and focus on why your work matters rather than demonstrating everything you know.
Draw readers in
The opening paragraph matters. Rather than beginning with background or definitions, try starting with something that captures attention, such as a current policy issue, a striking statistic, a question, an observation, or a short story from your own experience. Give readers a reason to keep reading.
Keep it focused and readable
Online readers tend to scan before they read in detail. Short paragraphs, informative subheadings and straightforward language all make blogs easier to engage with. There's no need to cover every aspect of a project. Concentrating on one clear message will usually make for a stronger blog.
Explain why it matters
One of the strengths of the CHP blog is that it helps connect research with policy and practice. Rather than simply describing your findings, explain why they matter. How might they change the way we think about an issue? What questions do they raise? Are there implications for policy, practice or future research?
Readers are much more likely to remember a blog that leaves them with something to think about.
Use links and images
Blogs are designed for the web, so make the most of it. Include hyperlinks to relevant journal articles, reports, projects or related CHP blogs so that readers can explore further if they wish. A good-quality photograph, illustration or simple figure can also make your blog more engaging (and we require at least one copyright compliant image to accompany the blog in the header). Please ensure you have permission to use any images and acknowledge sources where appropriate.
Finish with a takeaway
Rather than simply stopping at the end of your final paragraph, leave readers with a clear concluding thought. You might summarise your key message, suggest what should happen next, or pose a question that invites further discussion.
That one last read is worth it
A little editing goes a long way. Reading your blog aloud, or asking a colleague to look over it, can help identify places where the writing could be clearer or more concise.
Help readers engage
If you'd like readers to connect with you, include links to your professional email address and/or social media accounts, such as Bluesky or LinkedIn (these are also helpful for the CHP team to have when promoting your blog).
A quick checklist before you submit
Before sending your blog to CHP, it’s worth checking the draft against the following questions:
• Does the title and first paragraph make me want to read on?
• Is there one clear message running through the piece?
• Have I explained why this matters?
• Have I written for a broad audience rather than specialists, avoiding jargon and abbreviations?
• Could I make any sentences shorter or simpler?
• Have I included relevant links and a copyright compliant image?
• Have I proofread the final version?
We hope this list is helpful. If you’re new to writing a blog, try not to worry about producing the ‘perfect’ blog. The aim is to start conversations, share ideas and help research reach people beyond academia. We hope the CHP blog becomes a place where members can exchange ideas, showcase their work and contribute to discussions about the policies impacting health in Scotland and internationally.