Selfies often get a bad rap as being somehow symbolic of our age of self-obsession. But can they also serve a more positive role for people looking to forge connections with new communities online?

That’s the question underpinning the work of Dr Paige Jarreau, social media and science communication expert, who last year had a paper published called ‘Scientists Who Selfie’ which investigates the question of whether the social media platform, Instagram, can help scientists’ public image.

In this episode of the Research Comms podcast we discussed the project’s findings and chatted broadly about the opportunities and the pitfalls of scientists using social media platforms to engage the public with what they do.

Presented by Peter Barker

Produced by Orinoco Communications

To find out more about the video abstract service mentioned in the podcast: http://orinococomms.com/video-abstracts

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LINKS

Paige on Twitter: @FromTheLabBench

'Scientists Who Selfie' research paper

Lifeology Platform

Paige's Blog 'From The Lab Bench'

Susan Fiske - Stereotype Content: Warmth and Competence Endure