Press Policy

Press Policy for Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Tufts University and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences maintains and fosters many relationships with reporters, columnists, and other members of the press, including those in print, broadcast, and electronic media. We provide experts regularly to the news media from within the ranks of our faculty and our most seasoned faculty experts often work directly with members of the press, as well. As a result, in the aggregate, Tufts University and its schools receive a good deal of positive attention relating to the research activities of its faculty and, increasingly of its graduate students, post-docs, and even its undergraduates.

To effectively manage these media relationships, we rely on a group of public relations and communications professionals. It is their charge to ensure that the interests of the University and its schools, faculty, and students are successfully met whenever a reporter is trying to get information for his or her own story. While the interests of the reporter or the media outlet may coincide with our institutional priorities, it is not always the case. Ensuring the information about Tufts and its schools is presented factually (that Tufts, for example, is not in Boston or Cambridge or that you are a student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences) may not be foremost on the reporter’s mind, but we care a great deal about these pieces of identifying information.

Further, like you, we want to ensure that your research or other professional activities are represented fairly and accurately. Our public relations and communications teams can help you assess potential media opportunities and work effectively and comfortably with journalists.

Similarly, when students are approached about their work, it is important for the faculty members with whom they do their research to be aware of the potential for news coverage, as well.

We are always happy to hear that our students are involved with the kind of research that major media wish to highlight: it is the best possible kind of visibility and promotion for Tufts. But because it is visibility for Tufts, our communications team and our public relations staff members do need to be involved.

Thus, if and when you are contacted by a reporter, and before you are interviewed, please contact Kim Thurler, Anne Fishman, or Robert Bochnak. Any of these communications professionals can be of assistance so please contact one of them. In addition, media training and interview support is also available from the Office of Public Relations.

Kim Thurler, Director of Public Relations
Medford/Somerville campus
kim.thurler@tufts.edu
617.627.3175

Anne Fishman, Director of Communications, Arts and Sciences
anne.fishman@tufts.edu
617.627.5732

Robert Bochnak, Manager of Communications, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
robert.bochnak@tufts.edu
617.627.5826

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to ensure that GSAS and Tufts receive the best and most accurate news coverage possible and we thank you for all your efforts.

Note: For students in the School of Engineering, please contact your department
chair and Julia Keller, Communications Manager, j.keller@tufts.edu, 617.627.5733.