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.

1. Social Media - #scitweets
genomics.entrepreneurship@UBC
Ben Paylor - @benpaylor
Amy Elderkin - @vancityamy
November 26th, 2013

2. SCHEDULE
•
•
9:00-9:10: Introductions
•
9:50-10:50: How to Use Social
Media?
•
•
10:50-11:00: Break
9:10-9:50: Why Should You
Communicate?
11:00-12:00: Group Case Work

5. @scienceadvocacy

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

9. QuickTime™ and a
H.264 decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

10. Developing for “Alternative”
Skills

11. Building A Community Around
Scientific Progress

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)

13. Deficit VS Public Engagement Model
Nisbett 2012

14. Why Scientists Should Communicate
@Nancy_Baron

16. 2013
2008

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

18. Mainstream media
coverage led to 72%
more citations!

19. http://youtu.be/1w8MBAM5lqo?t=18s

20. Social Media and
Science

21. The Effects of Social Media on Science
A (meta) case study

22. #ArsenicLife

23. #mermaids

24. #Neutrinos

25. #RipplesOfDoubt

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

28. Group Case Studies
Social Media and Science

29. Deep Sea Exploration:
Engaging the Public
Engaging the Public

30. Finding Funding
Finding Funding

31. Greenhouse Gases:
Public/Policy
Understanding
Public/Policy
Understanding