On her blog, Social Works, my classmate Rachel Pittman explores the use of social media by scientists and researchers. Rachel raises several questions and begins a great dialogue about the appropriateness of using social media in academia and business, whether or not the benefits of its use are underestimated, and the potential consequences of not incorporating social media into one’s plan.
Rachel further explains that her company has decided to begin using LinkedIn. They chose this particular social media site because it provides “access to both our traditional and niche market populations in one place.” I commend the company for taking this step. Although I have worked in more than one setting where my colleagues and I used LinkedIn and other social media sites, it has never been a formal, employer sanctioned arrangement. Rachel even indicated that her company:
…will develop LinkedIn profile templates to help employees get started in the network. Employee profiles will contain consistent keywords to improve searchability and bind the company profiles together. Our private company network will provide a safe environment for employees to get their LinkedIn bearings, and is the perfect platform for us to start building our internal brand.
I recently participated in an academic leadership program for women through my university. Two of the other participants decided to create a group on LinkedIn. Those participants who were not already on LinkedIn quickly began joining. The women represent many different disciplines and departments, but we have that one common link. I have found that it is a great way to connect with others in my field, as well as in fields that I would like to explore.
As my background is in student services, social media sites have had a presence in my professional life. Although some of my current and former colleagues use it for purely social reasons, it also has professional benefits. However, I believe that the benefits in my field are very different than those for scientists.
I came across a blog post, Social Media for Scientists, written by David Bradley. I was very surprised to see such a long list of social media sites and networks for scientists:
- Nature Network – uber network from the publishing giant
- BioMedExperts – Scientific social networking
- BioWizard – Blogged up Pubmed search
- Mendeley – Digital paper repository and sharing
- Labmeeting (blog) – Ditto
- YourLabData – socialised LIMS
- SciLink – Sci-Linkedin
- Myexperiment.com – mostly workflows.
- Laboratree.org similar to Researchgate. Not particularly social beyond groups and sharing documents with collaborators, but email is better, and arguably more secure.
- scitizen.com – collaborative science news publishing
- SocialMD – Med-Linkedin
- Ozmosis – Ditto
- DNA Network – network of DNA/genetics bloggers
- ResearchCrossroads – Socialised grant databases
- MyNetResearch – Socialised LIMS at a price
- SciVee – YouTube for scientists (see also Watch with Sciencebase page
- Scientist Solutions – science chat
- Twitter science group and Scientwists list
Although the list was so long, I believe that there are inherent limitations. The main one is that the audience is limited, since the sites and networks are specifically designed for scientists. Of course, the usefulness is also contingent upon the intent of the user. What are they hoping to accomplish? What is their intended audience?
I do believe that there is value in social media sites. I also believe that their value is often underestimated. However, I also believe that the user must first identify their intended outcomes and purpose for utilizing such sites. There is no way to determine exactly what opportunities may be missed if one does not venture into the social media site arena, until its uses are fully understood. I will continue to encourage the use of social media sites in the professional setting, until I have reason to question their value or usefulness.
