blogging for researchers

Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Blogging for Researchers

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Associate Professor Tim CroweSchool of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Deakin University

[email protected]/[email protected]

Nutrition @ DEAKIN

• A web log• Regular entries• Maintained by an individual or a team• Can contain links, graphics or video• Provides commentary on a theme or functions

as an online diary

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Why Blog?

Motivation and

progress tracking

Research diary

Publicity

Practice for a career

Academic networking

Social networking

Discussion

Digital profile – CV

building

Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Types of Blogs• Vanity blogs• Expert blogs• Corporate blogs• Project blogs

• Blogs can overlap, evolve, change

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Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Blogs in Research• Often have a social function• Stimulate discussion on a theme• Bring attention to your publications• Share information among peers• Blog to a community• Team blogging• Recreational as well as academic• Link to departmental website

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Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Blogs are Good Digital Scholarship

• Disseminate from Day One• Attracts other experts• “Open” is king• Your digital profile

established

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Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Creating a Blog• Look at other blogs• Choose a platform

https://www.udemy.com/blog/best-blogging-platform/

• Create and customise• Start posting!• Make it public

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Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Blog Qualities• Most recent post at the top• Often personal or subjective writing style,

generally informal and conversational tone• Brevity – short, to the point posts• Links• Images• Ability for readers to leave comments

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Nutrition @ DEAKIN

What to Blog• Outreach to broaden science communication• Make science accessible• Engage in conversations• Become part of a community• Communicate with your subjects/public• Personal profile

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Tips for a Successful Blog• Have a focus• Make it personal• Ask questions of your audience• Engage with your community• Comment on other people’s blogs• Don’t lead with your ‘best’ material early on• Keep entries short• Link to previous blogs• Choose an update schedule and stick to it

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Costs of Blogging• Time – writing, setting up and promoting• Blogging in the ‘wrong’ mindset - being too

honest can lead to trouble• Dealing with trolls• Institutional factors

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Nutrition @ DEAKIN

Think about your Academic Profile• Everything you write in a public blog can be

seen by anyone• Think carefully about what information you

want in the public domain• Does the information you are sharing belong

to you?• Ask advice of your supervisor / team /

collaborators before blogging

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Having a Social Media Plan• Ask who is your target

audience• What form do you want

your content to take?• Micro-blogging vs blog vs

images• Have a content plan• Promotion• Evaluation

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