Returns of research funding are maximised in media visibility for excellent institutes

Abstract This paper investigates public communication activity across research institutes with varying levels of excellence in research, and how competitive funding affects this activity. With competing trends requiring plans for engagement the funded a question arising is whether capturing higher amounts return most value communication. Using international data from N = 1550 six countries, we first compare among excellent less-than-excellent institutes. We then investigate relationship between excellence. find that returns are maximised media interactions when compared to less excellent, but not events. suggests may result expected outcomes increased ‘public science’ if institutions guided by instrumental goals.