because your grandpa's on facebook: online outreach for scientists
DESCRIPTION
Presented at the Western Society of Naturalists 2010 Meeting, Student Workshop. Scientists can use the internet to reach a potentially huge audience, but online science outreach has unique challenges. I will discuss the current online science ecosystem, the advantages and disadvantages of different tools (e.g., blogs, Twitter, podcasts), and common pitfalls. I will end with some suggestions for how to get started using free applications.TRANSCRIPT
Miriam C. GoldsteinScripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Western Society of Naturalists Meeting November 11, 2010
Because Your Grandpa’s On Facebook: Online Outreach for Scientists
allwelike.com
Oh, my, who knew barnacles could do
that?
Miriam C. GoldsteinScripps Institution of Oceanography
Because Your Grandpa’s On Facebook: Online Outreach for Scientists
allwelike.com
Oh, my, who knew barnacles could do
that?For strong language and sweet sweet
barnacle lovin’.
UNDER 17 REQUIRES ACCOMPANYING PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN
RESTRICTED
R
Jeff Atwood, codinghorror.com
The internet: friend or foe?
Mandate to communicate science to public
• “Broader Impacts” requirement
• Achieve policy or conservation goals (e.g., climate change legislation, MPAs)
• Because we think science is the coolest thing ever!
Why use the internet?
1
10
100
1,000
10,000
100,000
1,000,000
10,000,000
100,000,000
1,000,000,000
Scientific Conference
College Class
Local Paper
National Paper
Discover Magazine
BlogsTwitter
log
[Num
ber
of P
eop
le]
Traditional MediaNew Media
0
100,000,000
200,000,000
300,000,000
400,000,000
500,000,000
600,000,000
Scientific Conference
College Class
Local Paper
National Paper
Discover Magazine
BlogsTwitter
Num
ber
of P
eop
le
Traditional MediaNew Media
Why use the internet?A look on a linear scale = INTERNET FTW!
One model of the online science ecosystem
Rob Helpy-Chalk
Blogs just a small part of online world
xkcd.com/802
“Blogosphere”
Blogs just a small part of online world
xkcd.com/802
“Blogosphere”
?
Science blogs not even on
map
One approach: SEAPLEX
• Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition (SEAPLEX)
• 20 days on R/V New Horizon in August 2009
• Designed & led by graduate students
• Collaboration with nonprofit Project Kaisei
Communications Tools: Low/no cost
Communications Volunteers: On the ship
• Teacher At Sea: Lara Dickens
• SIO Communications’ Mario Aguilera
• Project Kaisei• Separate, complementary
communications effort
Karin Malmstrom
Doug Woodring
•Scripps Oceanography & Project Kaisei channels
•SEAPLEX playlist
http://sio.ucsd.edu/Expeditions/Seaplex/
Official Site
More interaction, more audience
Mainstream media had easy one-stop access to materials
Cost of Online ToolsItem Application Cost
Blog Wordpress.com Blog: FREEDomain name: $10
Twitter Twitter.com FREE
Photos Flickr 100 MB/month: FREE
Videos YouTube FREE
Mapping Google Maps/Earth FREE
Official Website In-house IT Not free
Total Cost of Online OutreachItem Application Cost
Blog Wordpress.com Blog: FREEDomain name: $10
Twitter Twitter.com FREE
Photos Flickr Up to TK photos: FREEUnlimited: TK
Videos YouTube FREE
Mapping Google Maps/Earth FREE
Official Website In-house IT Not free
People’s time: NOT FREE
Pitfalls: Perils of “Live from the Field”
Pitfalls: Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory
Via J.E. Byrnes, http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/3/19/
Especially true with politicized issues
Pitfalls: Rules from funding agencies, universities, institutions
Most common pitfall: Lost in the Sea of Zero Comments
xkcd.com
Most common pitfall: Lost in the Sea of Zero Comments
xkcd.com
Most common pitfall: Lost in the Sea of Zero Comments
xkcd.com
Networking is the solution
•Classrooms
•Existing blogs
•Existing networks
•Consider alternate outreach methods
Represent, and have fun!
SEAPLEX ScienceMario AguileraRebecca AschPete DavisonLara DickensJesse DublerMatt DurhamJosh JonesJesse PowellMeg RippyChelsea RochmanTimothy StillingerDarcy TaniguchiAndrew Titmus
SEAPLEX Faculty AdvisorsJim LeichterMark Ohman
Project KaiseiDoug Woodring
Annie CrawleyKarin MalmstromGeorge Orbelian
Sorting VolunteersOlivia BengeCarri-Lyn CameronPatrick ChengDominic DufourChris GawadAdam GrecoCatherine NickelsErin ReedErik RaudzensMarci RosenbergAshley SalasSummer Strutt
Algalita Marine Research FoundationDimitry AbramenkoffBruce AppelgateGustaf Arrhenius
Karen BakerAlison CawoodDave CheckleySteve Constable & teamPaul DaytonSteve DiggsPenny DockryJim DufourRose DufourPeter FranksLisa GilfillanLucina GonzalezPhil HastingsAmy HaysBrian HentschelJohn HildebrandCapt. Wes Hill & crew of R/V New HorizonEunha HohDavid HyrenbachTony KoslowMike LandryKara Lavender Law
Skye MoretPeter NillerNOAA Southwest Fisheries Dick NorrisCheryl PeachGreg RouseSteve BennettScripps CommunicationsScripps CollectionsScripps DevelopmentScripps Web OpsShip Scheduling OfficeShipboard Technical SupportBeth SimmonsAnnie TownsendEric Wolff
Many Thanks
UC Ship FundsProject Kaisei
Jeffrey & Marcy KrinskJim & Kris McMillanLyn & Norman LearAnonymous Donor
Association for Women in Science -‐ San DiegoCenters for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence
Michael M. Mullin Graduate Student Fellowship in Biological OceanographyScripps Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation
Scripps Director’s OfficeNational Science Foundation