Supporting Diversity in Science through Social Networking e1001740

• Published in: PLoS biology Vol. 11; no. 12
• Main Authors: Guerrero-Medina, Giovanna, Feliú-Mójer, Mónica, González-Espada, Wilson, Díaz-Muñoz, Greetchen, López, Marcos, Díaz-Muñoz, Samuel L, tis-Santiago, Yaihara, Flores-Otero, Jacqueline, Craig, David, Colón-Ramos, Daniel A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Public Library of Science 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Brain research; Collaboration; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Science education; Social networks; Social research; Technological change; Web sites
• ISSN: 1544-9173; 1545-7885
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001740

CienciaPR was built to counteract the negative effects of scientific brain drain by: (1) promoting scholarly interaction among self-identified members of an otherwise dispersed community; (2) providing visibility to diverse scientific role models; and (3) supporting research and science education through initiatives that culturally resonate with our community of origin. [...]we gave important consideration to user profiles, a typical feature of social networking sites [11], but tailored them for scientists, gathering information about research interests, publications, institutional affiliation, mentoring, entrepreneurial interests, and training history (see http://bit.ly/1bXN6dy, for example). A number of social networking tools (peer-to-peer messaging, maps of nearby members, message boards, events calendar, personal scientific blogs, and automated matching of members with similar interests) facilitate interaction and keep the website dynamic and updated through member-driven content.\ng., news, events, training and funding opportunities).