YOU are one of the most important messengers IODP has in communicating and promoting the innovative discoveries of IODP to a wider audience beyond the drilling community. Diverse science communities, non-scientists, university administrators and policy makers all need to know of IODP’s importance for the program to thrive. The message that you convey will be different depending on the audience. Here are some things you can do:

Acknowledge IODP whenever you give a talk.  If you present research results that include data or samples collected by the drilling program, please provide information about IODP, or, at a minimum, show a slide of one of the ships.
Sample Slides

Acknowledge IODP in your publications.  If you use IODP data or samples, please acknowledge IODP in your publications. IODP and ODP policy suggests that you use the following verbage: “This research used samples and/or data provided by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP).”  Also, where possible, use key words such as, scientific ocean drilling, ODP, IODP and specify the name of the drilling platform, the expedition title and/or number, and the site number.

Raise awareness of IODP on your campus. The idea here is to communicate the importance of IODP to your research; leaders on your campus want to know about the important research going on around them, and should be familiar with IODP and the impact of IODP on your research (background resource materials). If there are others on your campus that are involved or benefit from IODP, then you can form a group and talk to:

• Your department chair and/or dean: Raising awareness of IODP can start with making sure that your chair and/or dean understand the importance of the IODP to your work. Educating them ensures that they can advocate for your needs if opportunities arise.


• Your vice chancellor of research (or equivalent): He/She needs to be aware of all significant research on campus, and is interested in enhancing successful research programs. They may be contacted when your high profile research is published and should be aware of the critical role that IODP plays in your research.


• Your government and community relations: Most universities have a policy that they do not lobby for specific programs that are funded by the NSF. NSF continues to receive universal bi-partisan support because it is mainly competitive research funding, and universities across the country are interested in lobbying for general increases in the NSF funding. However, you campus government and community relations personnel need to have specific examples of programs, such as IODP, that are crucial for the research programs of their faculty.

Contact your public relations office. If you get a large grant or make high-profile discovery, related to IODP, contact your campus public relations or public information officer so that they can prepare a press release that will highlight your newly funded research, or that will coincide with the release of an important publication. A press release is likely to be picked up by local newspapers, and hopefully by the regional and national press. Interacting with the media

Talk to your Consortium on Ocean Leadership representative. Particularly if one of the board members is from your institution, talk to him/her about the importance of the IODP to your research and to the ocean science community.
Board Members

Communicate with Congress. Write to, or visit your state and district representatives to let them know about the importance of NSF competitive funding. IODP will benefit from increased NSF funding in general. It is important for the ocean sciences community to have a consistent message – this strategy, as well as basic information on the legislative process is described on the Consortium for Ocean Leadership's Ocean Policy and Legislation website. To bring attention to IODP, you can use examples from your research to convey the rationale for why federal science funding might be of direct interest to your district or state. For tips on how to communicate with congress check the information on the American Geological Institute website.