Instagram Tips with @ Pondlife_Pondlife

Thanks for following our project to explore public perceptions of scientists who Instagram! For our backers, we are curating science Instagram tips here and on our Instagram account @scientistselfies. Follow us and be a #scientistswhoselfie's!

Share your own science selfies with our Creative Commons Flickr group.

 

Sally Warring in the lab.

Today we are featuring Sally Warring, a postdoctoral researcher and a microbe-loving Instagrammer. Sally has a B.Sc. with Honors in botany from the University of Melbourne in Australia and a Ph.D. in genomics and molecular biology from New York University. She has studied the biology of microbial organisms and parasites for the last eight years. She's also an experienced science communicator and documentarian working in film, TV, radio, social media and print.  

"[Pondlife] attempts to communicate some basic concepts of biology, survival and the evolution of life in fun and visually stimulating ways using examples from the microscopic world. The documentation of these organisms is an invaluable resource to the education of adults and children alike." - Sally Warring 

 

Sally Warring on Instagram

Q: What motivated you to start a (science) Instagram account?

Sally: I love microbes, particularly protists. I figured other people would love them too, if they could only see them.

Q: What kind of things do you post to IG?

Sally: Videos and images of microscopic life.

Q: What is Instagram-worthy to you?

Sally: A beautiful microbe, or something that can help me talk about microbes, cells, evolution, microbiology, etc.

 

Sally Warring in the field.

Q: What do you enjoy most about using Instagram for science communication?

Sally: Getting to interact with people from so many different backgrounds.

Q: What would be your top piece of advice for other scientists looking to grow their Instagram presence?

Sally: Keep the information simple. Make your images visually appealing. Don't preach. Make it personable and relatable.

Q: What are the benefits of Instagramming science in your perspective? What are the drawbacks?

Sally: Benefits: You get to connect with various people from all over the world. It's an opportunity to share some of the knowledge we have spent years collecting. It's really fun.

Drawbacks: it's a job! Doing social media well takes time and effort. There's lot of false information out there, too.

Q: How do you use Instagram in conjunction with your other science communication efforts?

Sally: I mostly use Instagram because I enjoy it more than the other platforms. I also give talks and interact with several community groups. I use social media to advertise these connections and to make connections with people who have skills that I don't have, such as filmmakers.

Q: Can you tell a story about how science Instagramming has impacted you (in a positive way)?

Sally: Many! In spring 2018 I will be opening an exhibition about microbes at the Brooklyn botanical gardens. It will be a mix of microbial art, and information about the roles of microbes in evolution and our environment. I am designing and curating the whole thing. I got this opportunity through being active and making connections through social media.

 

Sally Warring and her microbial art.

Q: What kind of content do you most enjoy posting on Instagram?

Sally: A video that shows a surprising aspect of microbial behavior.

Q: Any other tips on how to create engaging / successful Instagram posts?

Sally: Instagram is image based. Focus on making engaging images first and foremost.

Come back for more Instagram tips, and please share this project with your Instagram peeps!