The Dark Side of Social Media

1 comment

  1. Academics seeking attention in the media is not new. Universities routinely run training for staff to deal with the media and gain positive publicity for their institution (I have been on the ANU media list for decades). Media attention can result in resentment from colleagues, who complain “Why were you reported, you are not top in your field?”. The answer is, of course, the media quote those who take the time to make themselves available, and can answer questions asked in language the general public can understand. This also applies to social media: it takes time, effort and skill to have an online presence, as does having influence in business and government.

    Ideally the academy will have a mix of people, some with skills to do the hard core research, and some to communicate it to the media, public and policy makers.

    As a former government policy maker, I have formal training in how to craft a proposal, but more importantly in how to work behind the scenes to get it in front of those who matter. The Australian Computer Society elected me a Fellow for work on helping craft Australia’s policy on the use of the Internet. Some of that work was through an informal “cabal” of industry, government and academia: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/CLCCommsUpd/1995/56.pdf

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