Instagram Tips with @ lisa_inascienceworld
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Today we are featuring Lisa Jones, @lisa_inascienceworld on Instagram. Lisa is a Ph.D. student in developmental physiology, but also considers herself a science blogger and wannabe science communicator.
Q: What motivated you to start a (science) Instagram account?
Lisa: I mainly started sharing science-related posts on my Instagram account when I started my blog. I started my blog because there wasn’t much information out there on what it’s like to be a Ph.D. student, so I felt others could benefit from my experiences.
[As a scientist] I miss the more creative side of things, and I’m a very visual person, so Instagram was naturally the most appealing platform for me.
Q: What do you do, both in your career and for fun?
Lisa: I’m currently in the final year of my PhD in developmental physiology at the University of Southampton, UK. I’m investigating how maternal diets (high-fat and vitamin D deficient) effect the baby’s muscle function in later life. The lab work is all done so it’s the statistical analysis and thesis writing life for me! For fun I get out and about on my road bike and most week day evenings I go to CrossFit which I love. It keeps me healthy, and lifting weights relieves any of those PhD stresses!
Q: What kind of things do you post to IG?
Lisa: Since starting my blog, I share a lot about life as a Ph.D. student and my journey through science. I promote my blog posts on Instagram, and I’ve recently started a weekly #MondayMotivation feature dishing out Ph.D. top tips. I also sprinkle in a few personal posts in between the sciencey ones. I think people can relate to us as scientists much more when we share both the scientific and personal aspects of our lives.
Q: What is Instagram-worthy to you?
Lisa: For me the post has to be engaging to look at. It should add value and reflect what you want to share with your audience.
Q: What do you enjoy most about using Instagram for science communication?
Lisa: I love how creative you can be with it. Since posting about the Ph.D. life, I’ve been able to engage with so many more people than if I didn’t have Instagram. It puts a face to your work, which I feel people really respond well to.
Q: What would be your top piece of advice for other scientists looking to grow their Instagram presence?
Lisa: Definitely interact with others! There are now lots of scientists and science communicators sharing their lives on Instagram. See a post you like or can relate to? Let them know! The #scicomm community is a great one to be part of, it’s very supportive. Get involved in discussions through posts and stories.
Q: What are the benefits of Instagramming science in your perspective? What are the drawbacks?
Lisa: Benefits: You can share knowledge and teach others (scientists and non-scientists) which is great! It’s also interesting to see other people’s science journeys. If you’re struggling with something, then there are always others you can reach out to who will be able to relate.
Drawbacks: You do have to be a little careful with what you talk about. We can’t share all details with the public. For example, all of my Ph.D. work is based on animal models and we have to be cautious of what we share to avoid any negativity from animal rights activist groups, etc.
Q: How do you use Instagram in conjunction with your other science communication efforts?
Lisa: I definitely use Instagram as my main social media platform for all my #scicomm work. I have my science blog (inascienceworldblog.wordpress.com) and so I share any new posts on my IG, as well as any other updates to my science journey. Instagram stories are also great. You can share your genuine science life without bombarding followers’ IG feeds multiple times a day!
I also have Twitter (@inascienceworld), but I’m still learning the ropes. I do see IG and Twitter having separate roles in how we communicate science, but all with the same end goal.
Q: Can you tell a story about how science Instagramming has impacted you (in a positive way)?
Lisa: Since starting my #MondayMotivation posts I’ve had so many more people reach out the me, both through DMs and in the comments. One of them was about how we should compare ourselves to each other less. It generated some really interesting conversations which I was humbled by.
Q: What kind of content do you most enjoy posting on Instagram?
Lisa: Anything related to the positive aspects and also the trials and tribulations of being a Ph.D. student, because I know that the advice I give does help others. I also like posting the odd picture of CrossFit and what I get up to with friends. I’m a major advocate of work-life balance, so it isn’t all about work and science for me!
Q: Any other tips on how to create engaging / successful Instagram posts?
Lisa: Having good quality photos is a must. No one likes blurry/pixelated photos! I’m really drawn to pictures that stick to a simple colour theme, something I try to do myself (although challenging at times!). I personally like the fresh/clean look.
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