Future of science communication: New paths for Weimar!

Future of science communication: New paths for Weimar!

The University of Weimar has updated its communication strategies to convey the stories and experiences from research, teaching, and campus and student life in an appealing way. This week a new “Table Talk” was announced, in which an open exchange on communication work and the challenges takes place. This event is intended to provide valuable insights into the way the university prepares content on various channels and which questions play a role, such as the right time to contact the university or the use of specific content for certain communication channels. According to the University of Weimar website, the next TABLE TALK will take place on October 22, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on the first floor of the Mensa am Park, opposite the food distribution.

In today's world, effective communication in universities is essential to increase visibility and engagement. The event offers a space for students and employees to discuss ideas and suggestions. The University of Weimar is supported by various stakeholders to ensure that the topics discussed in the Table Talk reach the university's website and social media channels. This helps to keep communication dynamic and contemporary. These appointments are often organized once a month, on Wednesdays, which gives students and employees the opportunity to regularly exchange ideas and work on the development of communication strategies.

Improving social media strategies

In parallel to the efforts of the University of Weimar, a cooperation with UPAS offers workshops that focus on improving social media strategies for scientists and university employees. These events aim to shed light on current trends in science communication and develop practical strategies. During the first day of the workshop there will be an introduction to the basics and challenges of social media communication, followed by practice-oriented exercises in target group analysis. The second day focuses on measures to increase the visibility of meteorological research and includes interactive discussions and the use of tools such as CANVA for content creation.

The workshops not only offer valuable insights, but also create opportunities for networking and sharing experiences. The combined help from the university and targeted workshops is intended to help participants establish a clear social media strategy. It is particularly important for scientists to concentrate on a few platforms and to adapt their own communication approaches to the respective target group. Dr. Brandt-Bohne recommends focusing on one or two platforms at the beginning and only adding additional channels after routines have been established.

Latest trends and developments

With the ever-changing landscape of social media, new platforms such as Bluesky and Mastodon are also emerging in popularity in recent months. This happens especially in a context in which many users leave Twitter/X due to non-transparent moderation and political radicalization. This makes it all the more important for scientists to explore new channels that enable them to communicate their research effectively and visibly. Bluesky as a decentralized platform and Mastodon as a federated alternative offer interesting approaches, but require technical knowledge and an active user base.

Finally, it should be emphasized that the choice of social media platform should not only follow current trends, but also fit your own communication style and target group. The University of Weimar and the UPAS workshops ensure that participants are equipped for the challenges of digital communication and can develop sustainable strategies to increase the visibility of research and teaching in the digital world. Further information about these initiatives can be found on the website University of Weimar and the AIA NRW be read.

Continuous adaptation to new developments is essential for scientific communication, so that both formal and informal actions can take place on the right channels and at the right time. The Academics emphasizes the importance of such dynamic approaches for long-term visibility and successful communication in science.