This document summarizes a social media and science communication workshop held on November 26th, 2013. The schedule includes introductions, a session on why scientists should communicate, how to use social media, and a group case work period. Additional topics discussed include science communication training programs, the changing role of journalists, developing alternative skills, building online communities, and the moral imperative for scientists to communicate with the public. Examples are given of scientific topics that were discussed on social media and how that discussion can influence public opinion and policy.
6. Science Communication
at the Banff Centre
2-week Intensive Workshop
20 Participants admitted each year
Covers: Communication, Writing, Podcasting, Video Production,
Media Training, Public Speaking, Drinking, Etc.
http://www.banffscience.ca/
7. Lesson’s Learnt
1. Be aware: You Are A Brand
2. Getting outside your comfort
zone will benefit your career
3. Improving your communication skills will
be valuable regardless of what you do
4. There are numerous training/educational
opportunities out there - use them
8. Changing Face of Science
•
Dedicated science journalists are increasingly rare
(Science blogs increasingly common)
•
Difficulties maintaining public trust in science
12. Moral Imperative to Communicate
“A Social (Media) Contract for Science”
“Urgent and unprecedented environmental
and social changes contract. scientists to
challenge
define a new social
New fundamental research, faster existing
and more
effective transmission of new and
knowledgecommunication of this knowledge
to policy- and decision-makers,
and better will all be required to meet this
to the public
challenge.”
- Jane Lubchenco,
President of NOAA (09-13)
17. Why use Twitter?
•Powerful news aggregator
•Dialogue with others at
conferences
•Create professional networks /
Develop personal identity
•Social Media (Facebook, Twitter)
use both predicts and increases
citations of papers
27. Lesson’s Learnt
•#socialmedia provides scientific scrutiny
•Discussion will
take place regardless of
whether scientists are engaged
•“Blog or be blogged about”
•Influence is not limited to science itself
•(Social) Media influences public opinion & policy
Scientific advances are not merely result of steady accumulation of more sophisticated data
Scientific thought undergoes “paradigm shifts” in which accepted “ways of knowing” are replaced by new methods of understanding the world
Scientific progress can only be understood within specific social contexts
Scientific advances are not merely result of steady accumulation of more sophisticated data
Scientific thought undergoes “paradigm shifts” in which accepted “ways of knowing” are replaced by new methods of understanding the world
Scientific progress can only be understood within specific social contexts