USC faculty have access to a powerful and proven platform to elevate their research to national and global audiences.
The Conversation is a nonprofit news outlet that features articles written by scholars in collaboration with the website’s editors, and those stories are republished by national and international media outlets.
Since the university began working with The Conversation in 2017, scholars have contributed more than 250 articles that have resulted in over 15 million reads.
Interested in learning more? Eric Zack, chief partnership officer at The Conversation, will visit campus March 25-26 to meet with faculty interested in pitching and writing stories about their research in ways to reach general audiences.
Whether you’re a first-time Conversation author or a returning contributor, this is your opportunity to amplify your expertise.
Click here to see the full archive of news research stories by USC authors.
The impact
Articles frequently appear in outlets such as The Associated Press, The Atlantic, Salon and countless local news sites. Authors report increased citations, collaborations and speaking invitations, as well as interviews with national media on TV, radio and podcasts.
The Conversation can help move your research out of the ivory tower and into the public discourse.
Representatives from The Conversation will:
- Meet with faculty and researchers across disciplines.
- Share tips on crafting successful pitches.
- Explain how the editorial process works.
- Workshop story ideas one-on-one as time allows.
Who should participate?
- Faculty with timely research tied to current events.
- Scholars seeking broader public engagement.
- Researchers interested in media visibility.
- Previous Conversation authors ready to write again.
- PhD candidates are encouraged to take part.
What USC faculty are saying
"Writing for The Conversation was a great experience, especially because it’s so highly competitive to get a pitch accepted. The editor was exceptionally engaged and helped elevate the piece well beyond what I could have achieved on my own. I was thrilled with the final outcome, and the article’s international re-publication gave it a truly global reach.”
— Wolfgang Messner, clinical professor of international business, Darla Moore School of Business
"I knew that The Conversation would engage a broader interested public in my work, but I was surprised to find that writing for the site also resulted in professional opportunities as a lecturer, co-author and reviewer. The quick turnaround from their talented editors — much quicker than for a journal article in my field! — was rewarding."
— Anna Swartwood House, associate professor of art history, School of Visual Art and Design
“The Conversation can help move your research out of the ivory tower and into the public discourse. With the help of their skillful editors, you can quickly produce a high-impact publication that, in my experience, leads to new windows for media engagement. It’s a great opportunity for those who want their research to have a broader societal impact.”
— Conor Harrison, associate professor in the Department of Geography and School of Earth, Ocean and Environment
“The Conversation gave me the opportunity to engage directly with the public on issues at the intersection of science and society. I value the platform’s collaborative editorial process, which has broadened the reach of my work and reinforced my commitment to public scholarship.”
— Mitzi Nagarkatti, SmartState Endowed Chair of Center for Cancer Drug Discovery, Carolina Distinguished Professor, Deptartment of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine Columbia
“The writing experience was highly collaborative, with thoughtful editorial guidance that strengthened both clarity and scientific rigor while preserving my voice as a researcher. Their team was deeply engaged in ensuring the science was accessible, accurate and relevant to a broad audience. It was an outstanding partnership that reinforced the value of translating complex biomedical research into impactful public scholarship.”
— Lorne J. Hofseth, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, College of Pharmacy
“I'm passionate about the public receiving accurate information on my research topic — exercise safely in hot conditions — since there are so many myths and misconceptions. I liked that The Conversation let me edit and make suggestions about my article before it went live. I also liked that other news outlets cited information in my story, so it had a much wider reach.”
— Susan Yeargin, associate professor of exercise science, Arnold School of Public Health
“The Conversation is an ideal platform for researchers looking to share their expertise and insights with broader audiences. From pitch to publication, the workflow was efficient and professional, and the editorial process was collaborative and supportive. I'm glad USC is facilitating these connections.”
— Michael Watson, interim associate chair and instructor of retailing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Itinerary
Locations are TBD and will be updated soon.
Wednesday, March 25
2-3:15 p.m.: Presentation for campus communicators
3:15 p.m.-4 p.m.: In-person/hybrid information session and pitch workshop specifically for scholars who have previously written for The Conversation.
Thursday, January 30
9:30-10:30 a.m.: Writing for Environment and Energy desk
10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Writing for Health & Medicine desk
1-2 p.m.: Writing for Politics & Society and Economy & Business desks
2:15-3:15 p.m.: Writing for Arts & Culture and Education desks
Join The Conversation
Writing for The Conversation is positioning yourself as a trusted expert and making your scholarship part of the public dialogue.
For further details, contact your unit communicator or Public Relations Coordinator Gregory Hardy at ghardy@sc.edu.
Read all about it
Here are some popular stories published in the past year and a tracking of their reach. Disciplines span health and medicine, science and technology, business and economy, education, environment, politics and society, arts and culture — and more.
Is methylene blue really a brain booster? A pharmacologist explains the science
By Lorne J. Hofseth, professor and associate dean for research, College of Pharmacy.
Published June 3, 2025, with 104,689 reads
Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity?
By Wolfgang Messner, clinical professor of international business. Published June 2, 2025, with 42,683 reads
Data centers told to pitch in as storms and cold weather boost power demand
By Conor Harrison, associate professor in the Department of Geography and School of
Earth, Ocean and Environment. Published February 3, 2026, with 30,442 reads
Why are women's shoes so pointy? A fashion expert on impractical but stylish footwear
By Michael Watson, interim associate chair and instructor of retailing. Published October 20, 2025, with 26,249 reads
Michelangelo hated painting the Sistine Chapel — and never aspired to be a painter
to begin with
By Anna Swartwood House, associate professor of art history. Published February 23, 2026, with 19,073 reads