Social Media 101 for Scientists & Researchers
A practical skills session to help researchers understand and use social media strategically for research visibility
In this focused online session, we’ll help researchers understand the social media landscape, decide which platforms (if any) make sense for their goals, and offer practical strategies to share research effectively without overwhelming their schedules.
Scientists, researchers, students, and staff will learn how to approach social media strategicallym understanding when it’s useful, how to choose platforms wisely, and how to make their efforts efficient and impactful.
Approach: Interactive skill-building with platform overview, strategic decision-making frameworks, visual communication basics, time management strategies, and practical planning
Practical component: Participants assess which platforms align with their goals and audiences, and draft and share a possible social media approach that’s right for them.
Delivery: 2 hours online (Zoom or your preferred platform)
Group size: up 100 participants
What we cover in 2 hours:
- The social media landscape for researchers: overview of platforms (LinkedIn, X/Twitter alternatives like BlueSky and Mastodon, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Substack, Medium, The Conversation) and what each offers
- Why and when to use social media: and importantly, when to opt out or use it minimally
- Choosing platforms strategically: matching platforms to communication goals, audiences, and available time
- Practical strategies to raise research profile: tips and techniques that work without requiring extensive time or technical skills
- Visual communication basics: making content engaging (and avoiding copyright issues)
- Managing time and energy: realistic approaches to social media that fit research schedules
- Connecting with collaborators and growing audience: building meaningful professional connections online
Practical work: Participants assess their goals and constraints, identify which platforms make sense for them, make initial notes about their planned social media approach, and share with peers to explore risks and opportunities.
Interaction in this Skills Session is designed around guided individual exercises, chat-based reflection, and selected plenary discussion, rather than small-group coaching or personalised feedback.
Customisation option: This session can be tailored to focus on a specific platform (LinkedIn, The Conversation Instagram, X and alternatives, etc.) if your group has particular needs.
What this session does NOT cover:
This session provides foundations and strategic thinking, not comprehensive platform training or content creation practice.
We don’t cover:
- Step-by-step tutorials for creating accounts or using platform features
- Extended time for creating content or building profiles
- Advanced strategies for viral content or large audience growth
- Video creation, podcasting, or multimedia production
- Website development or “how to use” guides for blogging (Substack, Medium, The Conversation)
For institutional teams and strategic programmes: If your science communication teams, EU project dissemination teams, or institutional communications staff need deeper social media strategy and implementation support, see our Strategic Science Communication Support offerings.
Need more time for hands-on practice? Extended half-day and full-day formats are available on request with time for profile creation, content development, and platform-specific guidance.
Perfect for
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PhD programmes preparing students to build professional online presence
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Graduate schools introducing researchers to digital visibility strategies
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Research groups exploring social media for project dissemination or public engagement
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EU project teams meeting dissemination requirements through online channels
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Institutions supporting researchers in career development and visibility
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Postdoctoral programmes helping researchers build professional networks and presence
This session works well as standalone training or as part of a professional development series alongside personal branding and networking skills.
Looking for related skills sessions or longer-format training?
Pair social media training with related short skills sessions:
- Personal Branding for Researchers
- Visual Design Principles for Researchers
- Networking for Researchers
For comprehensive personal branding and presence, we offer Personal Branding, Pitching & Presence training, a full-day workshop including social media strategy, profile creation, and online presence implementation.
Explore all training topics
Not sure which format or topic you need? Browse our complete catalogue of communication training, organised by category.
Ready to help your scientists, researchers, and students navigate social media strategically?
We’d love to help you design the right training approach for your researchers or group.
This 2-hour session can be delivered as:
- Standalone workshop on social media foundations
- Platform-specific session (LinkedIn, Instagram, X alternatives, etc.)
- Part of professional development series with personal branding and networking
- Component of research dissemination training for EU projects
Curious? Get in touch.
