4 Choosing the right platform

Articles, conference talks and the press are the ‘traditional’ tools for communicating science; in the twenty-first century, digital tools such as social media, blogs or videos have evolved to become important communication channels.

These are not only a fantastic way to communicate to the general public; they also provide the opportunity to exchange with fellow researchers and build scientific communities. When communicating, you should think about combining traditional tools with newer ones. This will allow you to communicate in an interesting and dynamic way, broadening your audience’s experience.

In this section, you will learn how to identify effective channels of communication and see examples of how these non-traditional communication platforms are used.

4.1 Matching the platform to the audience