Global Communications at RIKEN

Jens WilkinsonRIKEN Global Communications Team

• Founded in 1917• 3,000 employees (about 18% non-Japanese)• Nuclear physics, photon science, materials science,

emergent matter, nanotechnology, developmental biology, neuroscience, computing, engineering, immunology, omics, plant science, biomass engineering, drug discovery

• K computer, RIBF, Spring-8/SACLA, BioResource Center

RIKEN

Our campuses

• Japanese acronym• 理化学研究所• 理　　　研

• Institute of Physical and Chemical Research• But we have best citations in life sciences

Our name

• Confirmation of discovery of element 113

• World’s first clinical work using iPS cells

Some recent big news

• Divided between PRO and GRO

RIKEN’s communications

• Increase general awareness and support of RIKEN and our scientific endeavors outside Japan

• Attract talented students and researchers

• Increase collaborations with other institutions

• Make sure that the international community trusts the integrity of our research

Our mission

• Catching up (2005-2011)Built up system and infrastructureTranslation -> creation

• Keeping up (2012-present)Shift of emphasis to onlineShift of emphasis to SNS

• Standing out (future)

Our history

• Personal contacts/Events• Press releases • Website• RIKEN Research magazine• At a Glance booklet• Social media

Our channels

• Personal contacts/Events• Press releases • Website• RIKEN Research magazine• At a Glance booklet• Social media

Our channels

In FY2014-2014, we put out 52 English press releases based mainly on research papers.

Press releases

Press releases

What made successful stories?

• A real breakthrough (?)• Relevant• Quirky, unexpected, scary• Photogenic

• Personal contacts/Events• Press releases • Website• RIKEN Research magazine• At a Glance booklet• Social media

Our channels

Website

www.riken.jp

Website

Website

• Personal contacts/Events• Press releases • Website• RIKEN Research magazine• At a Glance booklet• Social media

Our channels

• Personal contacts/Events• Press releases • Website• RIKEN Research magazine• At a Glance booklet• Social media

Our channels

• Personal contacts/Events• Press releases • Website• RIKEN Research magazine• At a Glance booklet• Social media

Our channels

Social media

www.facebook.com/RIKEN.english

Social media

#riken_en

Social media

www.youtube.com/user/rikenchannel

Some challenges

• How can we get our name remembered?

• How do we get science journalists to remember us when they’re doing a longer article?

• How do we know if we’re being successful?

Our team