Social Media for Scientists

Programme Details

Rationale

Members of the public are increasingly using online environments and specially social media platforms to find information about science. It is vital that scientists and scientific institutions start using those platforms to disseminate and promote their research activities. This 2-day course guides students through the communication process on the web and the importance of properly managing their online identity inside and outside social media. Using different platforms (weblogs, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media), students are invited to practice, and learn with the practice of others, their own communication skills. Our approach encourages the contributions based on a more empirical analysis of the effective use of social media by scientists, aiming to inspire the students to reproduce the best practices on the field.

Syllabus

1. Online identity management on the Web;
2. Why and how to create a research weblog;
3. The value and use of social media for scientists;
4. Facebook and Twitter – When and how to use them;
5. Other social media tools – LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram;
6. Curation tools – Pinterest, Bundlr, ScoopIt;
7. The measuring of social influence.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Curricular Unit the students will be able to:

1. Develop a balanced approach to reputation management on the Web;
2. Effectively use social media tools and maintain an appropriate online identity;
3. Create, optimize and promote their professional profiles online;
4. Communicate information and ideas effectively, using a variety of social media platforms;
5. Engage in the dissemination of their research activities using the Web and several social media tools.
6. Understand the importance of using social media for increasing the impact of their research (and their research institutions) and for progressing in their careers.

References

1. Bik HM, Goldstein MC (2013). An Introduction to Social Media for Scientists. PLoS Biol 11(4): e1001535. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001535
2. Powell , Douglas A, Casey J Jacob & Benjamin J Chapman (2012). Using Blogs and New Media in Academic Practice: Potential Roles in Research, Teaching, Learning, and Extension. Innovative Higher Education 37: 4, 271-282