SciBar: January

The fourth SciBar of the 2017/18 series is with Dr. Edward Randviir

January's topic is: Can Twitter Revolutionize the Academic Conference?

Social media has reshaped some aspects of modern civilization in many ways, especially since the conception of Facebook and Twitter over ten years ago. Social media platforms gave us instant connectivity, the ability to keep in touch with friends new and old, and allow us to document and share our lives like never before. But is social media now so mainstream, so widely used and understood, that even academic conferences can become electronic? Since 2012 there have been several independent Twitter conferences hosted either as standalone events, or as supplementary activities to academic conferencing, none more prominent perhaps than the Royal Society of Chemistry's now annual #RSCPoster competition, the fourth edition of which will be held in March this year. This month's SciBar talk by Dr Edward Randviir will explore the innovative concept of Twitter-only conferences and asks whether they can help dissemination of academic research in the future.

This event will take place on Monday 29th January from 5:30pm onwards. The talk will last around 45 mins, with a quick break before a question and answer session and the chance for further discussion while enjoying a few drinks in the cosy settings of the Lass O’Gowrie pub. No scientific background needed, just turn up and join in!