Tweet Your Science – an analysis of scientists using Twitter.

Abstract

This thesis discusses the rise of social media and investigates how scientists use it. A research component involves the development, implementation and analysis of a survey to assess how scientists use social media. In particular it focuses on the micro-blogging social media platform Twitter and inquires how scientists might be using Twitter as a communication tool to engage with their colleagues as well as the public. The thesis also includes a creative component – a website called “Tweet Your Science”. This website was created as a tool to engage scientists with Twitter. It provides them with guides and resources to help them get started, and includes a searchable public database of “tweeting scientists”.