We asked economists [in academia] which social networks they prefer to use and how. Based on our observations and years of experience with social media, we outline how institutions can use social networks for better communication. When Facebook started its rapid invasion into the everyday lives of millions of people all over the globe, the social network was often seen as a form of entertainment and a time-eater, rather than a potentially helpful tool for educational and professional purposes.
However, over the past years this trend has changed: with new social networks popping up every year, users have started realizing the benefits of these digital tools, as have many professionals in academia.
Last year we surveyed economists, most of whom were employed in academia or doing advanced studies. The majority of our followers are professionals and students in economics aged between 18 and 54 years old. However, this is not the case. In fact, the reality shows the opposite: social media content is all about sharing.
Within minutes of going online, conferences, jobs and courses get shared by the Facebook economics community, very often accompanied by comments and sometimes developing into topic-related discussions. Additionally, regional economics associations, research institutes and even professors use their own Facebook pages to communicate interesting information to their members, followers or students.
One of the main challenges of using social networks like Facebook for official institutions is finding a relevant audience. Professional, niche-oriented networks could solve this problem, but whether this turns out to be the case can only be tested with time. All data is taken from Economics Job Market Report Try it now! The Site for Economists. Blog All Blog. Related Items. Featured Announcements. Upcoming Deadlines Mar 10, Mar 12, Mar 15, PhD Programme in Economics with optional M.
