Beware social media ‘pitfalls’, universities tell researchers

Academics should “exercise caution” when commenting on topics outside their area of expertise on social media and make clear when they are expressing a personal opinion, according to leading European universities.

In an advice paper on research communication, the League of European Research Universities (Leru) says scholars should be “made aware of the potential pitfalls they may encounter”.

“Scientific communication on social media is a skill and researchers are not necessarily experts,” says the report, published on 22 October.

In its advice to universities, Leru says researchers should consider whether posts are “unduly argumentative or aggressive” and when voicing personal opinions should include a statement making clear that this was not necessarily the view of their university.

“Authors should exercise caution in using their academic credentials to comment on topics outside of their area of expertise and clearly distinguish professional comments from opinions based on personal views or comments not relating to their area of research expertise,” says the paper, which notes that social media “can encourage researchers to overemphasise their findings” or “advocate certain positions more vehemently than they might in real life”.

The paper says researchers should “use simple messages and where possible explain nuances or uncertainties”, directing readers to journal papers or university press releases if they can. It adds that researchers should know where to seek help should they become subject to personal attacks, and when to step back from a conversation “because it is outside their area of expertise, or because the questioning/debate has turned toxic”.

Lead author Rhys Morgan, head of research policy, governance and integrity at the University of Cambridge, said that while social media “brings with it enormous benefits, allowing researchers to reach far wider and more diverse audiences”, it also “poses particular challenges”.

In setting out the recommendations, the umbrella body endeavoured to balance “the need to respect the freedom of researchers to communicate their views”, Dr Morgan added, “with the need to maintain trust in academic research and researchers”.

“By helping researchers plan and manage their social media use, institutions can enhance, rather than restrict, the freedom of researchers to communicate,” he said.

emily.dixon@timeshighereducation.com