Blogging for Academics

"Don't feel pressured into blogging. Do it only if you are excited to try and have a good idea for an original blog." John Hutchinson, Professor of Biomechanics, RVC

"Even as someone beyond academia, I find blogging about science an immensely powerful medium. Outreach is key." Graham Steel, Open Science Machine

"Group blogging can be a good way to start - more content, less work for any one person." Lou Woodley, Nature Communities Specialist

"Exciting to begin, but challenging to sustain given the inevitable time sink. Guest blog is easier." Mary Bourke, Senior Researcher, Trinity College

"By blogging mine and others' work, I learn and amplify great research, and get helpful feedback on new ideas." Nate Matias, MIT

"As a person starting out in academia, blogs have given me a great insight into the awesomeness and challenges I might expect." Nathan Chrismas, PhD Student, Bristol

"Blogging is a way for academics to write with less formal language. They can write for a general audience, not specialists. Academics can get feedback from a worldwide audience very quickly." Joe Kraus, Librarian, Colorado

"Make your scholarly work a conversation, not a monologue. Less lonely that way." Barbara Fister, Librarian

What does it all mean?

"As the open science movement is demonstrating, the solitary genius of individuals is rarely superior to the speed and power of expert networks. We are stronger, wiser, and more creative as a community. And we are going to need all of that." Liz Neeley, 15th May 2013, Nature Blogs

Other social media stuff

The only difficulty is figuring out where to start..

Twitter

Resources:

• #reachingoutsci series: http://www.nature.com/spoton/tag/social-media-case-study/
• www.wordpress.com
• http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2011/09/29/twitter-guide/ - Academics guide to Twitter
• Social media for academics: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/btg/socialmediaforacademics/

Definitely not this

Podcasting

Do not attempt alone..

What can blogging

do for you?

Don't take it from me though..

Why blogging?

• Why the blog format?
• What have I learned?
• Other benefits?

Pros

Impact?

• Opens up research - access and accessibility
• Communicating with different audiences
• Impact case studies for REF
• Feedback and discussion about your research
• Natural development of online profile

Cons

PhD student (here!)

http://blogs.egu.eu/palaeoblog/

http://www.palaeocast.com/

http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/earthbound

@Protohedgehog (don't ask)

What's all the fuss about?

• Time.. Never enough time..
• Privacy and over-sharing
• Can be seen as 'self-promotion'
• ==> Strategic approach needed
• Does not have peer-reviewed 'stamp of approval'

"Science communication is at a tipping point. For decades, we’ve been making the case for broader engagement. Whether it’s framed as a moral imperative, a financial obligation, or a pragmatic undertaking, the question is settled. “Should we?” Yes. The hard question remains “How?”" Liz Neeley, 15th May, 2013, Nature Blogs

What roles can social media play in the digital age of science communication, and enhancing the academic experience?