As part of the Eisenhower Fellowship, Dr. Venus Cloma-Rosales, Managing Director of 101 Health Research, met with Glenn O’Neal, Senior Communications Director of Research!America, for an insightful dialogue on the evolving role of researchers as advocates last Oct 8, 2025.
Research!America, a 35-year-old coalition of universities, research institutions, and organizations, has long championed public investment in health and medical research. Sustained primarily through membership dues, it regularly conducts national opinion polls to understand how Americans perceive scientific research and key health issues. Over time, its findings have shown that the U.S. public values researchers who can explain their work clearly and connect it to real-world policy and community needs.
At the heart of Research!America’s mission is a belief that the general public is the ultimate beneficiary of research. Their work demonstrates how civic engagement—through communication, dialogue, and participation—strengthens public trust and keeps the United States at the forefront of global medical research.
During the conversation, Glenn and Dr. Cloma-Rosales discussed the question at hand: Should researchers also be advocates? The answer, resoundingly, is yes. Researchers have a responsibility to make their work accessible, relevant, and actionable. Advocacy doesn’t always mean standing at a podium—it can be as simple as engaging in one-on-one conversations with stakeholders or writing to policymakers.
Glenn offered a memorable insight: when asked what they do, researchers can respond, “We work for you.” Because research is a social good, it must always serve the public.
They also discussed how science communication should be considered a core research competency, not an optional skill. Research!America continues to advocate for its inclusion in graduate and doctoral training, an idea that aligns strongly with 101 Health Research’s vision for capacity-building in the Philippines.
Their discussion also explored how to reach younger audiences such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Research!America’s ongoing studies show that messages must be personal, relatable, and digital-first, with social media as the leading communication platform.
Key Takeaways:
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- Researchers must also be advocates for their work.
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- Civic engagement should be treated as a core professional skill.
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- Science communication should be included in graduate and doctoral training.
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- Collaboration with industry is key to advancing shared research goals.
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- Gen Z and Gen Alpha respond best to direct, digital-first communication.
- Sustained engagement can be built through newsletters and public opinion polls.
This conversation reaffirmed a vital truth: research is not only about discovery—it’s about connection. Through effective communication and advocacy, researchers can ensure that science truly serves the people it’s meant to help.
