Digital Skills Development : Effective digital profiles for researchers

We are living in a digital era where the majority of people spend a vast amount of time on social media. So as academics it is important that we access this digital world and use it to our advantage. Social media is a key aspect of science communication as it allows us to access a large audience from a variety of different backgrounds. By posting and sharing our research on social media we have the potential to impact not just the academic community but also the general public. Your digital presence will help you to form collaborations with other academics, access a wider audience to disseminate your research and help you to enhance your career, so what are you waiting for!This guide has been put together for academics and postgraduate students to help you into becoming a successful social media academic. This guide will help you to launch and develop your digital presence to both academic and lay digital audiences. This guide is split into seven sections designed to help you into becoming an effective social media academic:Why bother doing digital?Digital as part of the everyday/Making time for digitalMaximising digital impact/footprint and personal brandWhat to share and not to shareManaging risks and conflict and practising effective digital behavioursWhere to begin…What tools?Additional resourcesThe eBook is designed to direct you to useful information and resources to help you get started. The contents have been carefully curated by a team of academics, researcher developers and consultants. Regular prompts and exercises are provided to encourage you to test, try and think further about your digital development journey. Information about the contributors can be found at the back of the book.Aims of this eBook:Specifically focus on Digital Skills Development, useful links and toolsProvide detailed information about the training and development resources availableDesigned to help plan your attendance and participation in appropriate trainingUsed alongside Meetings and Development Plans to identify development opportunitiesSupport decision making and work in areas of research impact and professional career developmentEncourages reflection and self-evaluation throughout the development processSign-posts to useful resources, tools, tips and techniquesPromotes goal setting, the development confidence and capabilit