Dr Laura Wicks

Public Engagement Lead at Heriot-Watt University. Mum. DIY-er.

[Nether Currie HT @NethercurriePS]

So proud of our P6 & P7 team who made it to the EPSSA Sportshall Athletics final yesterday at Meadowbank. We were the only 'small school' to make it to the final. Thank you to our Sports Captains Seb and Lomond and our wonderful PE teacher Ms Armitage for their leadership. 👏❤️

[Prof Jemina Napier, PhD, FAHA, FAcSS, FASLI @JeminaNapier]

Now visiting the @HeriotWattUni Orkney campus with great colleagues from the Research Engagement Directorate. Talking #impact #engagement #REF2028 #researchculture #researchfunding #LoveWattYouDo

[The Health Research Authority @HRA_Latest]

We’re launching nine new principles and hallmarks of good people-centred research.

We’re asking the research community to check their studies against these areas, and to use them to help put people first.

Read more ➡️https://t.co/b96DPJVzM5

#PeopleCentredClinicalResearch

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

13. Don't miss work opportunities
Follow organisational and institutional accounts and turn on notifications (do this from their profile page) then you won't miss out when they say something to matter how filled with celebrities, news and gossip your main feed becomes.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

12. Content ideas?
If you are struggling what to say head to Google and search for your topic. Look at the "people also asked" section, click a few and more will appear. Keep clicking until you have 10 FAQs. Answer these questions and you will have a months worth of content.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

11. Make content accessible
Add alternate text to images (a brief description of what the image shows). Describe videos in comments. Don't overuse emojis.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

10. Diversify your following
Listen to people and communities who are often excluded or marginalised.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

9. Post frequency
Two rules of thumb: The longer the post the less frequent the posting & Post as often as you can. If you want to be a highly active user I'd day:
Twitter: 3 per day
Insta: 3 stories per day, 1 post per week, 1 reel per month
FB: 1 per week
Linked: 1 per 2 weeks

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

8. Use Link Tree
Linktrees are repositories of links (eg https://t.co/0o4kYKLXQh) This means that from a single link in your bio you can offer people whatever else they might be looking for.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

7. Know who you are
Your bio is like your shop window in the hughstreet of social media. Choose some key words/terms that will represent you and your content

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

6. Be nice
At your fingertips you have an almost effortless way to make someone day worse, or better or do nothing at all. Likes, Comments and RTs are all ✨free✨ and unlimited so stop rationing them. Log on and give your pals a boost.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

5. Monitor your use
How does social media make you feel. If you feel angry, jealous, stressed or upset - it's time for a break. It's natural for your social media battery to run low some times, you get annual leave from work and need annual leave from SM.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

4. Remember it is all an illusion
You see what people allow you to see. The perfect lives you see preformed on the social media stage may not be reflective of reality so try not to judge or compare.
& don't worry about follower count, there is no number that will ever content.

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

3. Keep yourself safe
When encountering negative interactions remind yourself of a hierarchy of actions you can take:
Ignore
Block
Report
Contact police
+ Always tell a trusted person about the interactions you've been having too, don't tackle it alone

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

2. Give more than you receive
Everyone wants more followers/replies/likes. Instead think about what you put into the system. if you want 10 comments on a post, put 20 out into the social media world. Most of your interactions will come from those you interact with regularly

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

Some essential tips from my Social Media for Researchers workshop:
1. Batch cook content
Posting every day is tough. Sit down once a month & draft up some content. A piece of advice, a link to a blog, an upcoming event, a question etc. You can schedule posts to go out later

[Dr Jamie Gallagher @JamieBGall]

Q: how to eval drop in activity? A fav of mine, when someone approaches ask a topic based Q (they can write/draw/speak). Remember/record answer then deliver the content/activity. When the next person approaches go through the activity first THEN ask that Q. Gives pre/post 📊

[UofG IAA - find us on BlueSky 🦋 @UofG_SciEng_IAA]

Dr @lcwicks of Heriot-Watt University @hwengage presents the Lothian Lugs (“ears”) project. The team worked with libraries to reach out to people in West Lothian. “It was always about co-developing these programmes and everyone benefiting.”

[Dr Laura Wicks @lcwicks]

Looking forward to hearing about all the amazing impact at tomorrows Impact Festiva …..not sure on the choice of decor in the hotels bathroom 👀🐑