North Carolina State's Audio Abstract is a showcase for faculty experts and an informative behind-the-scenes look into what motivates researchers to do what they do. The podcasts are aimed at both potential students and non-university-affiliated educated adults who enjoy short-form science stories. About once a month, we interview a researcher on a timely or general-interest topic, resulting in a podcast that runs from 15 to 30 minutes. These podcasts are hosted on our website, incorporated into other stories where appropriate, and pitched to general interest sites like FUTURITY.org. While there is an RSS feed for the major podcast hosting sites, the majority of our traffic comes from direct interaction with the NC State site. We have built a weekly audience of 600-700 listeners, which has stayed consistent over the past two years. We also use the podcast to pitch faculty experts to media, as reporters can use the podcast to determine whether an expert is a good fit for their medium.
From the Judges
This podcast features engaging, accessible topics that make science relevant to everyday audiences. Judges noted its strong production quality, effective interview style, and clear metrics, including consistent listenership and expanded reach through FUTURITY.org. Transcripts and faculty interview training added further value. Overall, it stands out as a strong model, with opportunities to expand promotion and visual elements.
