This document discusses researchers' use of social networking and how it can benefit their work. It notes that social media allows researchers to see what others in their field are doing, share data and findings more easily, and get feedback on projects earlier in the research process. However, some researchers prefer focusing on their work rather than maintaining an online presence. The document examines issues through various research studies and perspective on digital identity and networking. It provides examples of specific social media tools and debates the pros and cons of using these networks to enhance collaboration versus simply sharing completed work.

1. Thoughts on Social Networkingfor Researchers Use, benefits and can you make up your mind? Rachel Johnson Tim Johnson

4. Be aware of what other researchers in your field are doing and join in

5. So what are researchers doing and why?RIN Report ‘If you build it, will they come’ .

7. changing researchers publication and dissemination behaviour, and

10. Topical Delicious - - No, we are not shutting down Delicious. http://www.pearltrees.com/ http://pinboard.in/ http://www.diigo.com Blogs – Dave White - http://tallblog.conted.ox.ac.uk/index.php/2010/05/17/does-the-technology-matter/#comments Twitter – research (Tweetdeck) Facebook – Maria Nikolajeva

11. Topical Cloudworks – Virtual Worlds - http://cloudworks.ac.uk/cloudscape/view/2059 Academia.edu – Tim - http://worc.academia.edu/timjohnson/About Combinations – examples VWWM– mail list, web site, SL, f2f Presence – mail list, web site, f2f BlogScholarhttp://www.blogscholar.com/ Academic Blog Portal http://www.academicblogs.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Hyptertopehttp://www.hypertope.com/

12. “In ancient Greek the word “persona-lity” … is derived from the word for “mask”. The function of the mask was not to hide the actor but give information about the character.” Rhizome: Digital Identity Matters, Warburton 2010, Eduserv, Kings College, London p12

13. Irving Goffman “… this mask is our truer self, the self we would like to be … our conception of our role becomes second nature and an integral part of our personality.” Goffman, E. (1959). The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Reprint. Penguin Books, 1990, p30

14. Identity Bluesky Timothy Karen

15. So – Make up your mind – do you think like this: I’d rather spend the time thinking about what I’m going to do next rather than spend it telling others what I’m doing…’ (RIN p.32) or ‘One of the key social skills for the 21st century is building and maintaining your networks … the more people can connect and collaborate, the better.’ (RIN p.32)

16. Graduate Research School Blog All the urls from this session will be on your Research School blog http://graduateresearchschool.wordpress.com/ If you have any queries that either Rachel or Tim might be able to help with please contact us by email. r.johnson@worc.ac.uk k.johnson@worc.ac.uk