social media seminar
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"Social media as a research and collaboration tool" - social media tips for PhD students presented at the University of Queensland School of Tourism, 18th July 2012TRANSCRIPT
Social Media as a Research and Collaboration Tool
Reflections on Personal ExperienceRegan Forrest, PhD Candidate
University of Queensland School of Tourism
The Social Media LandscapeWhat social media
tools are out there?What do you
currently use?What tools are useful
for RHD students?
Source: http://www.acewebdesign.com.au/blog/2012/05/05/social-media-stats-infographic-april-2012/
Picking from the Social Media Smorgasbord . . . Social media for networking - purposes, pros
and cons of:FacebookLinkedInTwitterBlogging
Social media as a participant recruitment tool
Friends
FamilyColleagues
Facebook: “closed” networkingConnect and
communicate with a defined group
Lots of people using it already
BUT - limited chance of serendipitous encounters with new people
Linked In
Colleagues
Groups
LinkedIn: “strategic” networkingKeep in touch with
current and former colleagues
Maintain professional connections – an ‘electronic business card’
Join groups for discussions, job postings, posting requests
BUT – be selective and manage settings to avoid email deluge
Multiple Interests Twitter
Twitter: “open” networkingFind new people with
shared interestsReal-time ‘#hashtag’
discussions – often with international reach
Follow and share conferences
BUT it can take time to build up a useful network
Web version is inferior to Twitter apps (free apps are available)
Finding Fellow-travellers on Twitter
“Museum”-based workers & researchers
PhD Students at Qld-based institutions
Adelaide Dwellers
Believe it or not I’m not the only one here!!!
Twitter to vent and share: #phdchatMonthly real-time
discussions (Australia)
Useful tips and links posted all the time
See who else is in the same boat or has some words of wisdom to share
Suggested follows@thesiswhisperer – owner of the very useful
blog by the same name@litreviewhq – tips and links to blog posts
about getting your literature review doneFellow students, academics and others
interested in topics related to your research: #tourism #environment #museums #whatever
PhD students in unrelated fields – moral support and a different perspective
Blogging: networking through sharing• Opportunity to “road test” new ideas •A place to discuss secondary concepts that won’t make your thesis•Helps in maintaining the writing habit• Establish a reputation by demonstrating your expertise•Tie in with other social media use – post links to your blog•Consider guest blogging or blog sharing
Blogging has helped me . . .Get more confidence in my ideasReach an international audienceHelp me organise my thoughts after
conferencesGain work!
Recruiting Research Participants through social media: what I didGoal: find ~20 people willing an able to spend about an
hour visiting the South Australian MuseumAim to find as varied a sample as possible across gender,
age, museum visit habits and knowledge of subject matterGenerate online survey – partly filter, partly to raise
interestPost link on Twitter, Adelaide-based LinkedIn groups,
Facebook, email to SAM staffAround 200 responses received, with about half willing to
participate in museum visit. Participants selected and 12 accompanied visits
conducted May 2012Anectodally, Twitter and LinkedIn were most fruitful
General tips based on my experienceIdeal for online surveys – people are just a
click awayTwitter retweets are the ultimate snowball
technique – you can reach potentially thousands of people this way
LinkedIn groups are a great way to reach targeted audiences
BUT – don’t leave it to just one postingBe aware that response rate is an unknown
quantity
Integrating social media into research lifeBe genuine, but tailor your persona to the platformBe a good social citizen – create, share, communicateBe strategic – what are you trying to achieve and
why?Learn by watching and by doingBe visible –post regularlyBut say no to automatic cross-posting!!!Take time to learn the different platforms, tools and
settings and change them to suit youThe line between useful research network building
and online procrastination is nebulous – engage in social media reflectively
Continue the Conversation!Facebook: facebook.com/regan.forrestLinkedIn: (search for Regan Forrest)Twitter: @interactivateBlog: reganforrest.com
This presentation will be uploaded to my Slideshare page: http://www.slideshare.net/ReganForrest