Thread by @DrPetra

Today’s #ResearchTip is about social media. If someone’s created a thread, linked to a paper/resource, made a film, or shared their story and your response is to criticise or correct prior to reading in full, pause, check, *then* decide if a response is needed /1

It’s part of our academic training to critique,but that should come after reading,digesting,reflecting. It may be a point you feel has been missed so you must make was there but you hadn’t got that far. Minoritised scholars are especially impacted by these kinds of corrections /2

Obviously if someone is sharing something awful you can report, challenge and mute/block. But if you’re reading, watching or listening to something academic shared on social media you’re interested in but have already decided it’s wrong you may want to pause and check /3

Social media’s rapid, revolving pace and often adversarial and toxic tone is a problem. But can be a perfect (terrible) match for academic problems of competition, ‘splaining, bullying and prejudice.

Rigour, thoughtfulness and taking time to read/check can help a lot. /4

You can ask
- do I need to respond?
- can I just read/watch/listen?
- is my point adding to the conversation?
- am I inserting myself into a discussion in an appropriate, ethical, timely way?
- am I repeating what’s already been shared?
- have I jumped to the wrong conclusion? /5

We’re all stressed and struggling. Understandably some issues may evoke strong reactions. Muting particular topics can help if you’re struggling. As may time to gather yourself and calm. If you want to check in full and respond later save social media content to come back to /6

This #ResearchTip is just as much a reminder to me to pause and check before reacting 😊 it’s always tempting to correct and criticise but best to do so when you have ensured you genuinely need to. It’s fine to leave things be, for your peace of mind - and other people’s /7

Responding to people who’ve not read/checked your social media content before criticising can be exhausting. You may want to clarify (especially if it might open up wider conversations). Or explain yourself if you feel misjudged. Or you may want to save your energy and ignore /8

Btw this is a good time to remember a previous #ResearchTip on social media safety and your settings /9

https://twitter.com/DrPetra/status/1351507003563270144

Remember
- people with high follower counts
- minoritised scholars
- those targeted by abusive accounts
are more prone to being misrepresented, and drive by social media attacks. They may not have the time,energy or patience to deal with those jumping to the wrong conclusion /10