Social Media and Social Networks in Science Communication

Course Description

In this workshop, we will explore the uses and benefits of social media in science communication, including different uses for research, collaboration, self-marketing and networking. We will also look at social media in terms of alternative metrics (Altmetrics) and legal implications to the use of social media (e.g. copyright issues).
The content of this workshop can be adjusted to the participants’ prior experiences and specific wishes, but we will broadly cover the following topics:

• Introduction to social media and typology
• Use and relevance of social media and social networks in science communication
• Social media and social networks relevant to science (both those specifically addressing science communication, such as ResearchGate, and those not specifically designed for scientific purposes, such as LinkedIn or Twitter)
• Use of social media and social networks as research tools for literature, people and collaborations
• Use of social media and social networks to disseminate one's own results and to raise one's profile and for self-marketing purposes
• Use of social media and social networks for networking purposes
• Dos and Don’ts for researchers in social media and social networks

All topics are presented in a practical manner and with examples of tools that simplify the use of social media.