From Shelf to Speaker: Podcasts Could be the Solution for Sharing Research

Do you know how many academic papers sit on shelves unread? It’s a disheartening reality for many researchers who dedicate years on breakthroughs only to see their findings locked behind paywalls or buried in journals few will ever read. 

But there’s hope. Podcasts are revolutionizing how we engage ideas. This is opening doors for possibilities of sharing complex research, especially in higher education.

Podcasts give academic institutions the chance to reach broader audiences, build stronger communities, and humanize research. Instead of data points or dense abstracts, podcasts deliver stories, voices, and real-world implications—transforming research into something personal and impactful.

Higher Education Podcasts: A Generation Ready to Listen

Creating a top-notch podcast is one thing. Making sure the right people listen? That’s another. Or is it?

Figure out exactly who your target audience is, create a show just for them, and you’ll be amazed at how successful your show will be. No matter how niche you think you may be, there’s an interested audience out there.

Let’s talk about Gen Z, the future of higher education and academia. This demographic isn’t just listening to podcasts—they’re devouring them. Nearly half of Gen Z listens to podcasts monthly, and over 70% say podcasts teach them things they wish they’d learned in school. 

More importantly, these young minds trust podcasts, finding them more reliable than other forms of media because they often feature firsthand, diverse perspectives.

For higher education institutions, this means podcasts are a golden opportunity to engage prospective students and foster trust. A great personal example: once my sister caught an episode about CERN’s particle collider, this started a journey to pursue a PhD in Engineering Physics. It all began with a single podcast episode that made cutting-edge science accessible.

Bringing Research into Real Life

Podcasts are truly an intimate medium. You’re right in the ears of your audience, often while they go about their daily routines. This allows audiences to connect deeply with the stories being told. 

Mozilla’s podcast IRL: Online Life is Real Life offers a perfect case study. While it isn’t higher education, it does show an example of a complex research piece being made more approachable. 

When Mozilla transformed its Internet Health Report into a podcast, they not only reached millions of listeners but also made complex research accessible and human​.

In one episode, Avery Smith shared how medical textbooks often exclude images of Black skin, which led him to create a repository for automated diagnoses. By sharing this on a podcast, Mozilla didn’t just spread awareness—they sparked empathy and meaningful conversations.

Podcasts for Universities: Accessible and Approachable

Papers are often filled with jargon. Makes sense, you’re writing for academic peers. But this is what often makes research difficult for outsiders. 

Instead, podcasts offer the chance to speak freely and make research applicable to all audiences. Podcasts are portable, engaging, and easily accessible—a stark contrast to the often-exclusive world of academic publishing. Universities and academic institutions can use podcasts to highlight their groundbreaking research, attract partnerships, and inspire action.

In fact, educational podcasts like Science Friday, Ologies, and Radiolab have already proven the demand for research-based storytelling. Imagine the impact if more universities stepped into this space, sharing their findings directly through their own podcasts.

Final Thoughts on Podcasts for Research

Podcasts are more than just a megaphone for personalities and ideas. They’re a tool for change. 

They can help an institution inspire future generations, foster partnerships and community, combat misinformation, and influence minds through impactful conversations.