Tweet what you are sure of
As a nitrogen specialist, I struggle with this question too. Scientists speak with authority, so your words weigh more heavily than those of activists or random members of the public. But if you take an activist stance, that affects your authority as a scientist and you attract more ridiculous reactions. So my strategy is only to post on subjects I really know a lot about. I also tweet as little as possible in Dutch and I always stay polite. And the anonymous or rude responses? I ignore them.
Jan-Willem van Groenigen, professor of Soil Biology
Avoid subgroups
On Twitter you certainly do get some hostile reactions. But I still sometimes enter into discussion with such people just to get out of my own ‘echo chamber’. I think it’s important to take part in the public debate and to publicize our scientific findings. If you don’t do that you’ll soon be stuck in a subgroup on social media where everyone agrees with each other.
Judith Westerink, Senior researcher in Landscape Governance
Support
Social media can sometimes seem like a hornets’ nest. I’m active on Twitter myself, and I find irrelevant debates very annoying, especially when your opinion is unconventional. I certainly don’t consider it necessary to respond to personal attacks or ridiculous reactions. Instead, support your arguments scientifically and clearly in your posts. That way you’ll take the wind out of the sails of your opponents and you’ll provide a nice platform for starting rational debates.
Simon Goddek, Postdoc in the Mathematical and Statistical Methods Group
Mental health
It’s impossible to reply to every ridiculous post on social media, although it’s certainly good and worthwhile to engage in discussion sometimes. But don’t forget that people will go further and behave worse online than they would in real life. So just stop those kinds of online discussions if they are affecting your mental health or making you lose confidence about your work.
Jerry Gumbs, Environmental Sciences student
Next WURry: unwanted support
