073113 social media for scientists canpolin

Tools for Scientific Storytelling

CANPOLINBen Paylor - @benpaylor

July 31st, 2013

Social Media

What is a PhD?Doctor of a “love of wisdom”

All human knowledge Your PhD

http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/

Epigenetic Landscapes (2010)

A Natural Selection(2011)

Deflating the Genomic Bubble(2012)

Screened:GeneScreen (2010, 2011, 2012)

Imagine Science Film (2011)DeafTVFest (2011)

Master ASL! Textbook (2012)Michael Smith AMBL Genetics

Workshop (2012, 2013)

Science Communicationat the Banff Centre

2-week Intensive Workshop20 Participants admitted each year

Covers: Communication, Writing, Podcasting, Video Production, Media Training, Public Speaking, Drinking, Etc.

http://www.banffscience.ca/

Lesson’s Learnt1. Be aware: You Are A Brand

2. Getting outside your comfort zone will benefit your career

3. Improving your communication skills will be valuable regardless of what you do

4. There are numerous training/educational opportunities out there - use them

Science Communicationat the Banff Centre

Blogging

Client Animation Servicehttp://www.infoshots.ca

Summer 2011 to Present....Develop workflow (scripting, storyboarding, narration, editing),

client / provider relationships, learn how to not be crappy

StemCellShorts

Pilot Project: 3 videos on basic stem cell QsNarrated by SCN PIs (Till, Rossant, Bhatia)Us: Concept, Script, Storyboards, Narration, Production

Contract: Animation, Sound Design

Distribution: Let’s Talk Science, Science.ca, SCN, StemCellTalks

Granted March 2012 & May 2013

Up to $5000 for Public Outreach projects

StemCellShorts - Pilot1. What is a stem cell? (Dr. Jim Till)2. What is an embryonic stem cell? (Dr. Janet Rossant)3. What is an induced pluripotent stem cell? (Dr. Mick Bhatia)

http://www.actioncanada.ca

600 - 700 Attendees for 2013 ConferenceAlways looking for volunteers!

November 20-22, Toronto, ON

Science Communication 101

Interesting, relevant, clear and understandable to the audience

New and/or novel

Entertaining*

(True)*

Meets the medium’s non-negotiable demands about length, form, style, etc.

Qualities of a good story

Completeness

Thoroughness

Strict accuracy

Discussions of measurement uncertainty, confidence levels, etc.

Acknowledgment of alternative theories or explanations

Acknowledgment of collaborators, competitors, previous work, etc.

Qualities that a good story doesn’t need

No one needs to read about your stupid science

•Describe your work using the minimum number of words and ideas new to your audience

•Use analogies or metaphors that might be helpful in conveying the meaning of your work. (But be aware of the limitations of analogies)

•Don’t be afraid to put caveats, qualifications, technical details, etc., at the end—or even to leave them out in some cases. The public’s needs are different from those of your peers

Describing your research

From R.C.J. Somerville and S.J. Hassol, “Communicating the Science of Climate Change,” Physics Today, October 2011, p. 48

Describing your research

•Use active voice sentence structures rather than passive ones: “We analyzed the sample” rather than “The sample was analyzed…”

•Don’t be afraid to put yourselves in the story of your research. It isn’t immodest. You are characters in the story

•Think conversation, not lecture

Social Media for Scientists

Social Media for Scientists

The Big Four

Lesser Known Tools...Blogging Platforms

•Powerful news aggregator•Dialogue with others at conferences•Create professional networks / Develop personal identity•Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) use both predicts and increases citations of papers

Why use Twitter?

Mainstream media coverage led to 72% more citations!

Don’t Be Overwhelmed!

Where to start?

1. Create Twitter Account2. Don’t worry about followers3. Follow those who interest you4. Unfollow those who don’t5. Tweet!6. Use #hashtags/pictures/links

Top Twitter Tips for Academics

http://www.lwec.org.uk/sites/default/files/TwitterTips.pdf

Assessing Impact - altmetrics

Additional Resources

Questions?

Thanks

CANPOLINBanff Science Communication Faculty