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Module 6: Communicating Research Through Social Media

The Communicating Research Through Social Media module introduces participants to the most common social media platforms (including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and blogging). Participants learn how to tailor social media messages using evidence-based content and to identify target policy audiences for social media dissemination. Participants will benefit from the principles of policy writing in Module 3 before beginning this module.

At the conclusion of this module, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe distinctive elements of three or more social media platforms.
  2. Describe how to identify influential users for a given issue on a given social media platform.
  3. Select appropriate content for evidence-based social media messages using Twitter, Facebook, and blogs.

At the conclusion of this module, participants will have developed their own:

  1. Facebook posts and Tweets relevant to a policy brief or research blog.
  2. Evidence-based academic blog.

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Components

Making Social Media Work for Policy (SM1L)

Time: 40 min.

In this presentation, participants learn about common social media platforms, and where and how they are most often used. Participants learn to identify influential individuals active on social media, as well as policy-relevant content appropriate for different social media platforms.

Components

Presentation

Facilitator Guide

Communicating Research Through Social Media (SM2E)

Time: 30 min.

Participants apply their knowledge of social media to develop social media content based on their own research. Participants benefit from having developed policy messages and identified audiences and objectives in Module 2 and learned about nontechnical communication in Module 3.

Components

Worksheet

Facilitator Guide

Academic Blogging (SM3L)

Time: 25 min.

This presentation addresses the purpose, value, format, and content of a research blog (commonly known as an academic blog). Participants learn how the format and channel differ from traditional, written policy briefs, and how blogs can enhance dissemination of messages.

Components

Presentation

Facilitator Guide

Required Preparation

Dunleavy, 2014

Writing an Academic Blog (SM4E)

Time: Varies or assign as homework

Participants write a blog based on their own research. Participants benefit from having developed policy messages in Module 2 and having learned about nontechnical written communication in Module 3.

Components

Worksheet

Facilitator Guide

Supplemental Activities

Working Group Session 6 (SMS1G)

Time: 40 min.

After drafting social media messages, each participant shares his/her content with the small group and receives individual feedback from peers and a facilitator.

Components

Facilitator Guide

Social Media in Practice (SMS2D)

Time: 1 hr.

An outside speaker, either a blogger or influential social media persona, speaks about his/her experience generating a social media following the how that engagement has influenced his/her professional work.

Components

Facilitator Guide