Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
Social Sciences/Humanities
Abstract/Artist Statement
In 2018, only about half of Americans (49%) agreed that “human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals,” and 38% that “the universe began with a big explosion” (Besley and Hill, 2020). These basic facts may be well understood by the scientific and academic communities, but how do we go about disseminating this sort of knowledge to the general public? What about more nuanced and detailed information that may affect people’s understanding of our human heritage or health? Social media has great potential for increasing the reach and broadening the understanding of individuals. However, it must be done effectively and be mindful of the platform’s methods. This poster asks a question: how can we use social media to talk about anthropology and archaeology? We will explore different social media platforms and how to use them. Platforms covered will include Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. It will also discuss best practices on social media and include examples of academia and scholarship on social media and hashtags to use. The content of this poster is intended to serve as a starting point for those interested in using social media as a form of public outreach.
Mentor Name
Danielle Airola
Anthropology on Social Media
UC North Ballroom
In 2018, only about half of Americans (49%) agreed that “human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals,” and 38% that “the universe began with a big explosion” (Besley and Hill, 2020). These basic facts may be well understood by the scientific and academic communities, but how do we go about disseminating this sort of knowledge to the general public? What about more nuanced and detailed information that may affect people’s understanding of our human heritage or health? Social media has great potential for increasing the reach and broadening the understanding of individuals. However, it must be done effectively and be mindful of the platform’s methods. This poster asks a question: how can we use social media to talk about anthropology and archaeology? We will explore different social media platforms and how to use them. Platforms covered will include Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. It will also discuss best practices on social media and include examples of academia and scholarship on social media and hashtags to use. The content of this poster is intended to serve as a starting point for those interested in using social media as a form of public outreach.