Twitter is a microblogging site that allows posts of up to 140 characters. You can use it to build a community of researchers with similar interests and to share information with them.

Academics are increasingly using Twitter to follow conferences, get news from organisations, and keep up to date with what's happening in their fields.

Why use Twitter?

Twitter is useful for keeping up to date with information, but requires a different approach from traditional search strategies - it is more of a conversation. The following resources will help you to understand how Twitter works and why it might be relevant to you.

• Presentation on Twitter as a conversation
• A gentle introduction to Twitter for the apprehensive academic
• Vitae blog post on Using Twitter at Conferences
• RMM's Guide to using Twitter @ Academic Conferences
• LSE Public Policy Group guide to Using Twitter in university research, teaching and impact activities

What next?

Follow the GSMZ on Twitter.

Download How to Get Started with Twitter helpsheet

Download slides from the GSMZ workshop on Using Twitter: Twinglish for Academic Purposes.