Tweeting Toward the Ph.D.: Exploring New Scholars' Practices With Social Media

• In Event: Media, Culture, and Learning SIG: The Role of Technology in Communities

Abstract

Social media are important in the professional lives of modern scholars, allowing them to stay informed, foster professional relationships, and communicate to wider audiences. However, the role that social media may play in developing scholarly identity and sense of community is an under-explored topic in educational research. This study addresses this gap by examining doctoral students’ emerging scholarly use of Twitter in the context of a doctoral seminar. We found that students’ scholarly uses of Twitter piggybacked on their prior profession-oriented practices. Students used Twitter to connect to other scholars, stay current with topics in their field, access relevant resources, and find collaborators. We discuss the implications of this study for research, theory, and the preparation of future scholars.

Authors

• Christine M. Greenhow, Michigan State University

• Diana Brandon, Charleston Southern University

• Spencer Paul Greenhalgh, Michigan State University

• Matthew J. Koehler, Michigan State University

• Bret Staudt Willet, Michigan State University

• Jiahang Li, Michigan State University