Using social media as a PhD researcher

Using Social Media for PGRs

Tessa Coombes

Why use social media?

• Visibility – get noticed, build reputation, network• Information Sharing – broadcasting platform, ideas• Engagement – participating, conversation space• Information Gathering – personal newsfeed

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Where do I start?

18 April 2023Twitter

• Connect with people with similar interests

• Participate in discussion and debate

• Receive information and keep up to date

• Share information about your research or events attended

• Raise your profile and visibility

For more info see guide by LSE:http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/files/2011/11/Published-Twitter_Guide_Sept_2011.pdf

18 April 2023Linked In

• Online CV• Professional

network• Share updates &

info• Engage in discussion

through Groups• Network & connect• Profile & visibility

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18 April 2023Blogging

• Personal voice & profile

• Share your reflections on research or event attended

• Seek feedback on ideas• Engage with a wider

audience

https://tessacoombes.wordpress.com

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18 April 2023ResearchGate

• Engage with an academic audience

• Create exposure for your work

• Ask questions to help with your work

• Showcase skills and expertise

• Access to unpublished papers!

Some common concerns

• It takes up too much time• Information overload• Privacy and confidentiality• Speed of change• Quality

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Some things to think about

• Purpose – your primary goals for using social media?• Audiences – who are you trying to reach?• Tools – which are the best tools to use?• Content – what will you share?• Identity – what will your profile look like?• Evaluation – what does success look like?

Have a strategy & a plan then get started

18 April 2023