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Twitter and #SciComm

  • Writer: Scicomm Hannah
    Scicomm Hannah
  • Apr 14, 2019
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 28, 2019


As discussed when looking at Instagram, science communicators are having to keep up with new and emerging social media platforms and changes within the ecosystem, not only to keep up with best practise within the industry but also to ensure they are on the same platforms as their audiences.

Twitter, in my opinion, is one of the biggest platforms used by science researchers, institutions, companies and those within an invested (or not) interest in science research. Although only limited to 280 characters (raised from the original 180; how did we cope?!) there's a wide range of how science communicators can use this platform to communicate, I've outlined a few below:

The Twitter poll:

One challenge that I constantly face as a public engagement professional is making any science communication two-way, this is one of the standard elements to public engagement. By simply sending a Tweet you really aren't engaging with the public, someone reads it... and so what? Simply sharing a Tweet you most likely aren't going to make any impact to someone's life, change behaviour or make anything substantial enough to be able to highlight it in your pathways to impact on your grant.


However, using something as simple as a poll; something which creates a platform and/or opportunity for someone to interact; you are instantly creating a two-way process. The data you gather from your poll research can be used to inform your research approach, or how you communicate your science in the future, and for audiences they can gather a sense of being involved (contribution), they're also likely to be interested to see what others have voted, and then you can also think about any other uses and gratification that audience members get from interacting with media (but this is a whole other conversation for another time).


The above Tweet, was apart of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) citizen science project looking at documenting the first day of spring through a crowd-sourced nature diary.



Sharing an image:

As with Instagram, the use of images can really help to break down barriers and add context to a statement being communicated. Twitter offers a short amount of written communication, so by adding an image you can extend the messaging, but more importantly makes it more interesting. Simple marketing approaches highlight that a product needs to look appealing. Advertising companies have been doing this for years, so why not borrow from their well established concept?




The Gif:

For social media junkies, millennials and GenZ babies; the power of a gif doesn't need to be explained, who doesn't love a short, sassy video to accompany your messages.


One of the benefits of using gifs, in my opinion is that you 'piggyback' off the success of popular culture. The short videos are usually created from snippets of popular TV programmes and or films. One of my favourite examples of this is the popularity of Netflix Our Planet nature documentaries with Sir David Attenborough; which has lead to the creation of some amazing gifs showcasing the natural environment.




And of course #SciComm #TooManyHashtags:

Using a hashtag is an excellent way of providing a way of searching Twitter (other social medias have also adapted to include this) for specific content. Using a hashtag, can easily be described as categorising the messaging of the content being provided, or you may choose to describe it as a form of metadata.


The benefits of this are around the end user / reader who is searching the social media site. You want to find out what is being talked about in relation to a city? There's a chance that a hashtag is been created; therefore your search is easily defined, but I give a warning about the hashtags you search and use.


Therefore using relevant hashtags to your science area, research, or even wider ones such as #STEM #SciComm #Science #Commuication can be of benefit, however, be careful not to fall into the danger of using too many hashtags, and make sure you're using this relevant metadata in the same way your audience will be.

(too many hashtags, but also suckering you in with a cute puppy picture; shameless marketing tool).

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©2018 by Hannah Lacey; Science communication and public engagement with research professional. Proudly created with Wix.com

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