Nowadays, most people spend a large portion of their lives online, particularly, on social media. Considering the astonishing popularity of these platforms, it’s no wonder that many researchers have turned to social networks to communicate their science. In fact, this approach appears to have several advantages.

For a start, social networks have allowed researchers to build online communities in which they can exchange ideas and explore collaboration opportunities. In addition, by using social media to share their latest findings, research papers, and achievements, scientists can increase the visibility and consequently the impact of their research.

Global visibility is also a great advantage for researchers currently using these platforms to address the general public. From those who seek to promote public interest in larger scientific issues, to those who focus on educating the reader on a specific scientific field, many have found a space for science communication on social networks.

Social media resources for scientists

For those who wish to share their science on social media, there are many different platforms available. For instance, sites like Research Gate and Academia.edu are specifically geared towards community building among academics, research paper sharing, and engaging in peer-feedback.

Those who are primarily interested in increasing the visibility of their work or that seek connection with the general public, can also resort to broader social networks. Platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook allow their users to share short attention-grabbing and curiosity-inducing posts. These can stand alone, such as professional updates, or be used to draw the reader’s attention to more in-depth posts.

In-depth posts can be displayed on blogs, institutional pages, company pages, and video sharing platforms like YouTube. These typically involve a greater investment of time and effort, but they can be very useful to those who wish to disseminate knowledge or increase the public’s awareness in their field.

When using social media for science communication you may, however, encounter some challenges. In particular, when addressing a lay audience, it can be difficult to maintain the scientific accuracy of your message while adopting a writing style that is both captivating and suitable for the audience. Science Crunchers® understands this, and that’s why Science Crunchers® can work with you to produce the social media contents that best suit your needs.