Social Media for Research Impact
How scholars can share ideas, build networks, and make a difference
About the book
Social Media for Research Impact is a practical and reflective guide for researchers who want to use social media in ways that align with their scholarly goals, working style, and ethical values. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice, it helps you develop a strategy that fits your context.
Through short case boxes based on interviews with researchers around the world, the book showcases diverse and often surprising ways social media supports scholarly work—from building collaborations and reaching new audiences to shaping real-world impact. It covers established platforms like LinkedIn and X, explores emerging tools like Bluesky, and highlights alternative academic uses of platforms such as Reddit and WhatsApp.
The focus is on purposeful use: not just self-promotion, but meaningful communication, community-building, and knowledge exchange. The book introduces the Researcher’s Social Media Compass, a framework to help align online activity with professional aims, values, and resources.
This book is for researchers at all career stages, as well as research managers, advisors, and communication professionals who support research visibility and collaboration through social media.
Endorsements:
“Bogers and Young have developed an extremely helpful and useful guide for any academic who wants to harness the tools of social media to enhance the impact of their work. I wish I'd read this ten years ago!”
Henry Chesbrough, Professor at UC Berkeley and Luiss University, father of open innovation.
“Trying to figure out how to use social media for more than just expressing how honored you are to have published something? Want to reach other scholars with deeper insights and connect on ideas? If so, this book is for you.”
Anita M. McGahan, George E. Connell Professor at the University of Toronto and former President of the Academy of Management
"If you are interested in more than just ‘getting published’ in good journals and want your research to help trigger understanding and positive, impactful change in society, then the ideas and advice in this book will help you attain that agenda."
Ian McCarthy, W.J. VanDusen Professor of Innovation and Operations Management, Simon Fraser University
"A refreshingly reflective, research-informed guide that recognises that impact is about listening, ideating, and connecting, not just broadcasting research outputs. This book is a valuable companion for any academic navigating the evolving landscape of scholarly impact, offering practical advice while also grappling with the darker sides of social media."
Ana Isabel Canhoto, Professor in Digital Business, University of Sussex
About the authors
Marcel Bogers is Full Professor of Open and Collaborative Innovation at Eindhoven University of Technology and a Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley. His research and teaching focus on innovation management, with a strong emphasis on creating real-world impact. A long-time user of social media, he has delivered talks and workshops to help academics increase visibility, build connections, and create impact.
Mike Young is the founder of the Mike Young Academy, which has supported scholars and universities for over a decade in using social media to increase research visibility and foster collaboration. His workshops cover practical routines and long-term influence strategies across platforms including LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky.
Sneak preview
Get a first look at the book through this short slide deck. It introduces the background and the Researcher’s Social Media Compass—covering Purpose, Presence, Platform, Personality, and Practice. Each element is briefly described to give you a sense of the framework and its practical value.
(The slides were used during a seminar to present the book at FGV EAESP.)
