10 Ways Podcasting Unlocks Deeper Research Insights

Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in podcast listenership, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Exploding Topics reports that in 2023, almost two-thirds (62%) of US 12+ year-olds have ever listened to a podcast—accounting for around 177 million people. Pew Research reports that as of 2023, 42% of Americans ages 12 and older have listened to a podcast in the past month. Apart from the increasing podcast audience, academics have acknowledged the effectiveness of podcasts in enhancing research impact and outreach. For instance, in 2021, University of Cambridge’s Simone Eringfeld won the BERA Master’s Dissertation Award for her dissertation on using podcasting as a post-COVID research method. Oregon State University uses podcasting as a way to increase research literacy, and to provide support for researchers in higher education. Researchers at Oxford University have produced multiple podcasts that promote academic knowledge-sharing. Undoubtedly, the integration of podcasting and research has proven to be an excellent means of gathering data and sharing research findings. What are the additional advantages of merging the two worlds together?

1. Geographic flexibility and global reach

Podcasting allows participants to join focus groups regardless of their physical location. This flexibility eliminates geographical restrictions and enables you to engage with a diverse range of participants who may not have been able to attend an in-person session. In addition, podcasts have a global reach, allowing researchers to access and connect with participants, experts, or collaborators from different parts of the world. This global reach can enrich research perspectives, broaden cultural understanding, and facilitate cross-cultural comparisons.

2. Data preservation and analysis

Podcasting allows for the recording and preservation of focus group sessions in an audio format. This enables researchers to revisit and analyze the discussions repeatedly, ensuring accurate and comprehensive analyses. Additionally, audio recordings can be transcribed, facilitating further qualitative examination.

3. Cost-effectiveness

Conducting focus groups through podcasting can be more cost-effective compared to traditional methods that require renting a physical space, providing refreshments, and covering travel expenses for participants and facilitators. With basic recording equipment and online distribution, podcast-based research can be executed efficiently and economically. Podcasting eliminates these costs, making it a budget-friendly option for research projects.

4. Accessible to diverse audiences

Podcasts are accessible to a wide range of audiences, including those with visual impairments or limited literacy levels. Engaging with podcasts can help researchers reach and connect with a broader and more diverse audience, potentially enhancing the relevance of their research.

5. Content expertise from podcast hosts

Podcast hosts offer valuable benefits for research, including subject matter expertise, access to guest experts, and an informal conversational style that encourages personal insights. Collaborating with hosts allows researchers to disseminate findings widely and increase the impact of their research. Additionally, hosts often discuss real-world applications and examples, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Networking with hosts and guests can lead to valuable collaboration opportunities and expand researchers’ professional connections.

6. Podcasts hosts who share a similar identity offer deeper insights into specific issues

Having a guest who identifies with the same demographic, ethnicity, or identity as the host offers shared perspective and relatability leading to more open discussions, and deeper insights into specific topics. This cultural resonance fosters a more engaged and trusting audience, enhancing the authenticity and significance of the research findings. Guests’ comfort level with the host promotes candid data collection, especially concerning personal experiences. Additionally, featuring guests with shared identities ensures research inclusivity and allows for exploration of intersectional insights. However, researchers must balance shared perspectives with diverse viewpoints to avoid biases and uphold ethical considerations.

7. Current and up-to-date information

Podcasts are relatively quick to produce and publish, allowing hosts and guests to discuss and share the latest developments, trends, and research findings in real-time. This real-time nature can be particularly beneficial for staying up-to-date on rapidly evolving topics or emerging issues.

8. Community engagement and feedback

Podcasts often foster strong and engaged communities of listeners who actively participate in discussions, share feedback, and contribute to ongoing conversations. Researchers can tap into these communities to gain valuable feedback, insights, and suggestions for future research topics or directions.

9. Storytelling approaches for synthesizing and disseminating data

Researchers can present and synthesize complex information, conduct interviews with experts to offer interpretations, and incorporate audio data into episodes. By storytelling and exploring diverse perspectives, podcasts make research findings more relatable and engaging—creating a stronger emotional connection and impact. They extend research visibility to a broader audience, increasing the research’s societal influence. Podcasting can complement traditional dissemination methods, facilitate audience engagement and feedback, and allow for continuous updates as research progresses. 

10. An avenue for tailoring course content for learners with non-traditional preferences

Podcasts engage auditory learners and offer flexibility, enabling learners to access content at their convenience. Podcasts can use storytelling techniques to enhance retention and appeal to those who respond well to narratives. They support inclusivity by accommodating learners with visual impairments through transcripts and show notes. The informal atmosphere promotes active learning, and podcasts can serve as supplementary resources alongside traditional course materials to reinforce concepts through audio reinforcement.

With the ongoing evolution and growing popularity of podcasting, an increasing number of academics and researchers are likely to embrace it as a research method. The proven benefits, enhanced impact, and effective outreach make podcasting an attractive option for scholarly endeavors. By leveraging this engaging medium, researchers and educators can elevate their work and connect with broader audiences, ushering in a new era of impactful communication and learning.