Services and Timelines
To ensure that we can provide high-quality content that reflects our institution's brand, we strive to be realistic about project timelines. Timelines are shorter if the requestor provides content (text and images). Additional time is needed if writing text and finding or generating visual elements are needed.
These estimates are intended to support your planning. Actual timelines are dependent on the scope of the project and the number of other projects in our queue.
News article
Timeline
- Article for the OVPRI news page or Pursuit newsletter (dependent on faculty availability for interviews): 2 weeks
- Article for the OregonNews newsletter: 4 weeks (publication not guaranteed, at the discretion of University Communications)
- Article for the Workplace newsletter: Content is due the Thursday of the week before you want the content to appear. Research Communications will copy edit and submit content you provide.
Considerations
The Research Communications team does not pitch story ideas to news media. University Communications controls this mechanism for the UO.
Articles for the OVPRI news page and the Pursuit newsletter (which are meant mainly for an audience external to the UO) or for the OregonNews newsletter (also external-facing) are held to higher standard than those for The Frontline and Workplace newsletters (which are internal-facing). These articles deliberately align with the Oregon Rising strategic plan and demonstrate the impact of UO research and innovation. OregonNews does not publish event stories (there are some exceptions, but they are infrequent); please submit event items to the UO Events Calendar instead. Workplace does not publish research-specific training stories; those are more appropriate for The Frontline.
A news article is not the appropriate choice for all content. We can provide guidance on alternative ways to share a message.
For a comprehensive guide to the various newsletters through which you may want to promote your event, please visit our University of Oregon Newsletters document.
Handouts (8.5 x 11, single page or front and back)
Timeline
- Update an existing document: 5-10 business days, depending on staff bandwidth
- Create a new handout with content already drafted by the requester: 3 weeks
- Create a new handout from scratch (requiring content and image/graphic generation): 4-6 weeks
Note: If we are placing an order with Print Services, please add 5+ business days.
Considerations
A handout is not always the appropriate choice, depending on the audience or venue. We are happy to help brainstorm alternatives if needed.
Print materials (e.g., holiday cards, yard signs, magazines, brochures)
Timeline
- Update an existing document: 5-10 business days, depending on staff bandwidth
- Create a new asset with content already drafted by the requester: 3 weeks
- Create a new asset from scratch (requiring content and image/graphic generation): 4-6 weeks
Note: If we are placing an order with Print Services, please add 5+ business days.
Considerations
We are not able to distribute materials (e.g., mail cards, hang signs) for you.
Slides
The Research Communications team can provide a branded and digitally accessible template and troubleshoot accessibility questions. We cannot make your presentation for you.
Event promotion
The Research Communications team can provide various deliverables to promote an event (our definition of event does not include trainings; please instead submit information about your training to The Frontline newsletter), including:
- Email(s)
- Event webpage
- Promotional materials (e.g., social media, article, yard sign, printed handouts or invitations)
The Research Communications team will not manage tasks related to event operations or logistics, including:
- Event planning
- Room reservations
- Budget and procurement
- Registration and RSVPs
- On-site management
Timeline
The project timeline begins after the initial project meeting and will depend on the number of services requested. Ideally, please allow 4-6 weeks.
Considerations
Not all services can be provided for every event. Specific service requests should be outlined during the initial project meeting.
For a comprehensive guide to the various newsletters through which you may want to promote your event, please visit our University of Oregon Newsletters document.
Web consultation
The Research Communications team can provide consulting (e.g., help brainstorm, suggest best practices) to improve the presentation of your website content. We will not draft web content for you. Web page creation and editing are the responsibility of your assigned web content manager.
Timeline
Schedule a consultation meeting, which will occur as soon as calendar availability allows (typically 3-10 business days).
Considerations
OVPRI Research Technology Services (RTS) team provides back-end/technical support for the following websites:
- OVPRI
- Partnerships
- Oregon Mass Timber Innovation Engine
- Center for Advanced Materials Characterization in Oregon
- Genomics and Cell Characterization Core Facility
- Oregon Acoustic Research Laboratory
- Oregon Fabrication and Design
- Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution
- Institute of Molecular Biology
- Institute of Neuroscience
- Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular, and Quantum Science
Social media
The Research Communications team can post content to the OVPRI LinkedIn and Instagram accounts using the text and photos you provide.
Timeline
Timelines will be determined by the editorial calendar. Please submit requests as early as possible.
Considerations
Please be aware of the target audiences of these platforms. LinkedIn targets faculty and professional staff. Instagram targets students. Message tone, format, and length will vary based on these audiences.
Please be aware of character limits within social media platforms:
- Instagram stories have a limit of about 120 characters. Captions can be longer, but only the first 125 characters are visible in feeds.
- LinkedIn posts have a 3,000 character limit, but only 200-210 characters display before it shows “See more”
- Graphics or images should be the following sizes:
- Instagram: 1080 x 1350 pixels for posts, 1080 x 1920 for stories and reels
- LinkedIn: 1200 x 627 pixels
Not all content is appropriate for social media. We can provide guidance on alternative ways to share a message.
Photography
The Research Communications team can provide professional headshots, event photography, and research lab/space photography.
Timeline
- Notifying us at least 4 weeks ahead of your event is encouraged for planning purposes.
- Allow several days following the photo session for photo editing and cataloguing.
Considerations
Staff bandwidth is limited.
Graphic design for OVPRI teams
The Research Communications team has a limited ability to provide bespoke graphics outside of major events or web projects. However, we are able to accommodate well-considered, discrete projects.
Timeline
Typically 2-6 weeks, dependent on graphic designer capacity, project scope, and how the project aligns with OVPRI's overall strategic goals.
Considerations
Plan to have a consultation meeting with our graphic designer to discuss the project. It is very helpful if you come to this meeting with a sketch of what you want to convey with a graphic. (No artistic talent is required! We welcome stick figures.) A maximum of three revisions can be accommodated.
If you are looking for support for graphic design for a research proposal, please visit the External Services for Proposals webpage.
Printing
Please indicate if you would like the Research Communications team to handle the print order. You will need to provide a billing index and the desired number of copies before we can submit a print order. If you would like to work directly with Print Services, we are happy to provide the design files.
Brand Approval
Products and apparel with registered and trademarked university marks must be reviewed and approved by UO Marketing and Brand Strategy.
Please add an additional 10 business days to your project timeline for UO Brand to process these requests.