Social Media for Scientists
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Social media can be an invaluable tool to increase the impact and visibility of scientific research. For example, papers shared on social media have increased citations and downloads. Social media offers new ways to expand your professional network; connect with policymakers and the public; to communicate scientific research; and to advance your professional career. This session will provide 1) an introduction to social media platforms, particularly Twitter; 2) tangible examples of how social media use can benefit your research and career; and 3) resources and strategies to use social media effectively. Offered at the 2015 American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Annual Meeting.
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Social Media for Scientists
- 1. Social Media for Scientists Mónica Feliú-Mójer, Ph.D. @moefeliu #ASCB15
- 2. Jan Schmoranzer 2011 Olympus BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition®The Cell, 2nd Ed. by D.W. Fawcett
- 4. Image credit: CC BY-NC 2.0 Tamsin Martin
- 5. W H Y s o c i a l media?
- 6. Why Scientists Use: Twitter Nature512,126–129;2014
- 7. Why Scientists Use: Facebook Nature512,126–129;2014
- 8. Why Scientists Use: Linked In Nature512,126–129;2014
- 9. Nature 512, 126–129; 2014
- 11. BASICS
- 12. @ = handle # = hashtag = like = re-tweet
- 14. WHY ?
- 16. Share Engage
- 20. #ASCB15
- 21. Communities
- 26. Amplify
- 27. Mass Media Liang et al. 2014 Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly
- 28. Non-Scientists Liang et al. 2014 Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly
- 31. Be mindful
- 32. Feliú-Mójer tweets in Spanish and English Neurobiologist turned science communicator Passionate advocate for STEM, inclusion and education Leverages technology to engage scientists with science outreach & communication Loves building connections to make science accessible to all
- 33. Be selective
- 35. • Know your goal • Limit who you follow • Create Twitter lists • Manage time spent
- 38. Assess
- 42. Have FUN!
- 44. Image credit: CC BY-NC 2.0 Just
- 46. What is your goal? Google yourself Social media inventory Homework
Editor's Notes
- Social media has changed the way we communicate and network, including in science.
- There are dozens of platforms out there. How do you know which one you should use?
- With so many platforms and so much information available on them, social media can feel like a raging river of information and you may feel like you are going to drown in it.
- Which begs the question, why should I, a scientist, be on social media?
- Nature surveyed 3,000 scientists and engineers and ask them precisely that. Let’s look at how they use some of the most popular social media platforms. Twitter: Follow discussions, share their work, comment on research, discover peers and content
- Facebook: not really used.
- Linked In used primarily for professional purposes, like an online résumé. To discover and contact peers, in case they are contacted (online presence), discover jobs.
- Scientists use social media to discover content, research and peers; to share their research and other relevant content. They use social media to be visible, to have a presence. And of course they use it to discuss research and other issues relevant to the scientific community. Social media has become an important tool to doing science.
- Today we will focus on Twitter, because it is the most versatile platform (and frankly because it is my favorite). However many of the principles we’ll discuss today are applicable across platforms.
- Handle = username Re-tweet = you’re sharing somebody else’s tweet Hashtag = word prefaced by the hashtag or number symbol, you can use it to tag content so that it can be easily found or to be part of a larger conversation Like = formerly favorite, used a star instead of a heart. You well, like, the tweet.
- Twitter: great platform to share content and engage with different audiences.
- Engage with people (scientists and non-scientists), experts and influential people. Share content: from reputable sources or your own. Share your science, as an individual and even as a lab.
- Learn about resources, job or fellowship opportunities. You can also use Twitter to ask questions or ask for resources (e.g. #icanhazpdf).
- Share beautiful images or videos. Offer a window into your daily life and struggles as a scientist. Be part of conversations (like tweetchats).
- You can take part in conferences, even if you are not there!
- Twitter can help you find and create communities.
- Use hashtags to find communities of interest or expertise (e.g. #ASCB15, #scicomm, #PhDChat, #cellbiology).
- Counter isolation and find strength in numbers. #PhDChat: people share anything from resources for PhD students from the struggles of being a PhD student. #BLACKandSTEM: discussions relevant to the experience of being black in the STEM disciplines.
- You can use Twitter to learn, network and showcase. Learn about resources faster. Learn about what other professionals are doing in your field of expertise or outside.
- Twitter can give you access to scientists and non-scientists, people that otherwise you would never reach (i.e. because you don’t know them, outside your field, geographically distant). And viceversa. Twitter can increase your visibility. Use Twitter to showcase your work or expertise. Put yourself out there as expert. Can lead to professional opportunities: speaking engagements, invitation to events, to contribute. Particularly when talking to non-scientists, opportunity to be visible, build trust.
- Twitter is a great tool to amplify your message. You can amplify the reach of your research, your opinions. A study from last year looked at whether public outreach could boost scholars’ academic careers. Specifically, they wanted to know whether new media can amplify the effect of traditional public outreach on scholars’ scientific impact.
- It found that scientists who interacted with reporters had higher h-index scores if their work was also mentioned on Twitter.
- The researchers also found that scientists who talked to nonscientists about their on Twitter had higher h-index scores as well.
- Twitter can be a tool for professional development. Find out about workshops, conferences, mentoring opportunities.
- 140 characters = be concise, assertive. The exercise of tweeting can make you a better communicator. You can also learn how to effectively combine visual and written communication by complementing what your write with images and video. Twitter can help you develop, find a voice. Twitter also can help you develop your personal and professional brand: how you put yourself out there and who you are putting out there.
- Strategies for effective Twitter and social media use.
- Rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t mind if what you said ended up on the cover of the NYT, then say it. Privacy, privacy, privacy. Keep it classy. Google yourself. Be your own editor.
- The Internet can be a hostile place: respond, don’t react.
- Be your own editor. Take time to respond. Use your best judgment to decide when to engage, when to ignore.
- Are you meeting your goals? Subjective assessment: are you getting useful information? Are connecting with the people you are interested in? Are you seeing a ROI?
- You can also look at hard data. Use Twitter Analytics. What kind of content is getting the most engagement?
- What are your followers interested in? Who is your audience?
- TWITTER IS A TOOL, BUT IS IT THE RIGHT ONE? WHAT KIND OF JOB DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH? You need to know what your goal is.