Social media offers scientists a direct way to engage with the general public, but effective communication on social networks can be challenging for a newcomer. This episode looks at successful examples of scientists using social media to communicate their work and their research findings.
Social media is a fast and accessible way for scientists to communicate about the results of their research, find potential collaborators, and make a positive connection between the science and the public at large. This episode looks at scientists’ use of social media, what platforms and strategies they employ, and what advantages the different social media platforms offer. We also highlight the guidance that the QUEST project has produced to help scientists improve their social media activities.
QUEST Toolkits, including resources to support science communication on social media, are available here.
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In this episode
Ana Godinho, Head of Education, Communications and Outreach, CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, Switzerland
Ana Godinho is Head of Education, Communications and Outreach at CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics. Before joining CERN, Ana was Head of Communications at the Portuguese national funding agency for science and research and previously held posts in science communication at biomedical research centres in Portugal and in the UK. Ana is a scientist turned communicator. She holds a PhD in Developmental Neurobiology from the University of London and an MSc in Science Communication from the Open University (UK). Ana has published papers on science communication and sat on review boards in Portugal, Switzerland, Ireland and Luxembourg.
Dania Movia, Senior Research Fellow, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Dania Movia is a Senior Research Fellow of Trinity College Dublin. She is part of the Laboratory for Biological Characterisation of Advanced Materials (LBCAM) at the Trinity Translational Medicine Institute (TTMI), associated with the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute. Her work focuses on the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) that can be used as an alternative to animal testing when studying the safety and efficacy of cancer therapies and nanomedicine products. She is a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel of Animal-Free Research UK.
Fabiana Zollo, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’Foscari University of Venice, Italy
Fabiana Zollo holds a PhD in Computer Science and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics at Ca’Foscari University of Venice. Her research investigates information and misinformation spreading and social dynamics online. She is the Principal Investigator for Ca’ Foscari of the Project QUEST.
Podcast production team
Host: Barbara Schofield
Barbara worked as a reporter, producer and editor in BBC broadcast newsrooms and in features production for 15 years before moving into academic life at City, University of London. She was until recently Programme Director of Undergraduate Journalism at City, while also working on the Erasmus+ INSPIRE project to encourage inclusivity in higher education through training in media skills. She has been active on several other EU-funded partnership projects including MicroEuropa and the Global Environmental Journalism Training Initiative (GEJI). As Research Officer on the QUEST project she has devised an updated curriculum for MA Science Journalism programmes, and a Toolkit to encourage accurate and effective science journalism – available in May 2021.
Producer: Atina Dimitrova
Atina is a City, University of London alumna who did a degree in Journalism. She did her MA in International Relations at King’s College London. Atina is working as MailOnline’s UK social media assistant. She has work experience across a range of media outlets such as The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times Magazine. She has also worked as a hub assistant at the Election Broadcast Hub, BBC Elstree Centre during the 2018 Local Election programme and the 2017 General Election programme.