Science Sci-comm in the age of social media
Kylie Sahota Madeline Brooks Ellen Ng 32 fieldnotesjournal.org
PHOTO CHRISTIAN DANI / GRAPHICS ELLEN NG
Whether we like it or not, social media is ushering in a new age of communication. This includes how scientific research and science-related topics are shared with the public. An estimated ~68% of Americans get their news from social media. Many scientists have followed suit, now using social media to share their work and communicate with peers and the public. The traditional scientific process involves research being published after months or years, and personal opinions are filtered. By contrast, social media allows an almost instantaneous transmission of upcoming research, interesting findings, and the more pure opinions of fellow scientists from around the world. Studies have shown that using social media also allows scientists to reach a broader audience, and engage with the public in more interactive and rewarding ways than before. However, science communication via social media is not a panacea; that is, it comes with its own set of challenges. The unregulated sprawl of social media presents its own problems, as “viral-worthy” posts can gain traction without adequate scientific backing. In addition, there arises the possibility of creating a “bubble” among scientists sharing, congratulating, and reposting content only from each other, thus excluding the public and losing the benefits of social media. With so many distinct social media platforms now available, there are a variety of ways people have commandeered these public outlets of expression for their own scientific interests. We spoke to three creators of science content on social media to learn more about their outlook.
