Acoustics Lay Language Papers are concise summaries of research presented at ASA Meetings that help bridge the gap between specialized knowledge and general understanding for science writers, educators, reporters, and inquisitive minds alike. What many potential ALLP authors may not fully grasp is the hidden potential within these summaries— the ability to serve as a springboard towards publication in Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics (POMA).

For example, the process of writing an ALLP encourages the author to think about the story they are trying to express with their research, and how to convey that story in a clear, concise fashion. That structure can then be expanded upon with more details and data to develop a POMA. Check out these POMAs to see how other authors leveraged their ALLPs:

• POMA: Launch Vehicle Noise and Australian Spaceports
• ALLP: Rocket noise: What does it mean for Australian spaceports?

• POMA: Classroom acoustics: a case study of the cost-benefit of retrofitted interventions
• ALLP: Myth busted – classroom acoustics can be easy and cheap

• POMA: Noise dynamics in city nightlife: Assessing impact and potential solutions for residential proximity to pubs and bars
• ALLP: The Secret Symphony of City Nightlife: Unveiling the Soundscapes of Pubs and Bars

• POMA: Development and evaluation of windscreen designs for high altitude balloons
• ALLP: Noise reduction for low frequency sound measurements from balloons on Venus

By writing an ALLP, you make your research accessible to a wider audience while also taking the initial steps towards presenting research effectively for publication. Consider your ALLP as the first building block in your journey towards a publication in POMA, JASA-EL, or even JASA. It’s a strategic move that combines effective communication with broader accessibility, setting you on the path to sharing your acoustic discoveries with the world. If you will be presenting at an upcoming ASA Meeting, seize the opportunity to write an ALLP.

Read more about the ALLP program and get tips and tricks in the Acoustics Today article, Reaching Reporters, Teachers, and Bosses – Lay Language Papers and be sure to submit your own ALLP in for the 186th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and Acoustics Week in Canada, sponsored by the Acoustical Society of America and the Canadian Acoustical Association. The ideal submission deadline is Wednesday, May 1, to allow time for posting ahead of the meeting.