Skip to Main Content

Social Media to Promote Research: Introduction

This guide shows examples of how you can use social media tools and networks to promote your research

Developing a Social Media Strategy

Before you start using social media to promote your research, it is useful to think about your overall impact goals, who you are trying to reach, and what you want to communicate. Developing a social media strategy can ensure you use social media more efficiently and effectively by helping you:

  • identify and focus on the most appropriate tools and platforms, and avoid "wasting" your time
     
  • control your digital footprint to ensure social media adds to your professional reputation 
     
  • track and monitor your social media impact to evaluate if it has a positive or negative effect on your overall impact goals

Related Guides

Library Webinars

Build Your Research Skills @ UCD Library

This semester we are running in-person presentations and workshops on a range of practical topics to help support your research. 

Click on the image above to book & attend any of these Library events

 

 

Why should I use Social Media?

Social media can be time consuming. However, when used strategically it can benefit you as a researcher by helping you:

  • Discover & “filter” new research & keep up to date 
  • Connect with new contacts and build your network
  • Find out about funding opportunities, calls for papers etc
  • Increase the visibility of your research online
  • Communicate with audiences outside academia e.g. practitioners, policy-makers, the media etc.
  • Discover how people are engaging with your research, what they are interested in & get feedback

 

Caveats & Things to Consider:

However, using social media is not without its pitfalls and also raises concerns regarding data privacy. Before signing up to any tools or platforms: 

Be aware that your profile is usually public

Read the small print - Who owns the data? Copyright and IP?

Third party services can close down without notice or be taken over/merged

TOSDR