With over 140 million active users Twitter has grown up a lot since it arrived in 2006. This means that Twitter can be an extremely powerful tool for engaging, influencing and reaching out to a wide range of audiences across the world.
Twitter is a social network (like Facebook and Google+) which allows you to network and engage with other users.
Anyone who knows me is well aware that I am a very keen advocate of Twitter. I believe Twitter is an excellent tool for engaging with, and getting people excited about science.
As a researcher Twitter can be used to promote and publicise your research (without having to travel to international conferences) and it also enables the public to raise awareness of important issues (like MND awareness month) and engage with the scientific and research community (@ALSuntangled)
As a researcher, Twitter can be used to promote and publicise your research (without having to
travel to international conferences) and find out what’s going on in your field – ‘listening rather than talking’ to your peers.
For more examples of why researchers should be using Twitter please see the post on our Research and Care Community Blog (ReCCoB) ‘Why you should be using Twitter’
Get involved
Our ‘Get Started on Twitter today!’ blog post also on ReCCoB explains how to join Twitter in five easy to follow steps. It covers everything from picking a name, deciding who to follow and sending your first tweet!
To get you started here’s some good examples of Twitter accounts to follow:
