Engaging with Scientists and the Public on Social Media

For the past century, Earth and space science not only has made an immeasurable impact on society but also has captured the imagination of generations. Whether it’s understanding the mysteries of space or the driving forces behind natural disasters, the public has long been fascinated with science. As we work to amplify the accomplishments and stories of the past 100 years and inspire the world to see how Earth and space science can create a more sustainable future for us all in celebration of AGU’s Centennial, tapping into that fascination will be very important.

While there are lots of ways to engage the public—and your fellow scientists—one of the most effective, and easiest to manage, is outreach through social media. Social media platforms have evolved and changed over time, but channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram remain incredibly popular. In fact, science content on social media is a rapidly growing sector, and more and more scientists are turning to their feeds as an efficient and effective method of science communication.

Engaging with different audiences via social media can be very rewarding, and it’s a great way to honor the past 100 years of Earth and space science. To help you decide how best to use these channels to engage your target audiences, we have put together this list of resources:

General Social Media Tips

More Resources

Using Twitter to Communicate Science

Using Facebook to Communicate Science

Using Instagram to Communicate Science

Using Tumblr to Communicate Science

Public Outreach Is…Public!