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\title{This one goes out to all my tweeps.~\\}


\author[ ]{Anahita Hamidi}
\author[ ]{Authorea Reddit}

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I started a \href{https://twitter.com/geneticexpns}{Twitter account} in
2010, during my first year of graduate school, because I was told I
needed to. Not by my graduate program, but by the
\href{http://www.sfn.org}{Society for Neuroscience (SfN)}. I had just
been accepted to be an official ``neuro-blogger'' for the SfN conference
-- an annual gathering that draws over 30,000 attendees. The
requirements for outreach were minimal: at least one blog post per day
during the conference, preferably within our assigned ``theme''.
Additional postings were encouraged and Twitter accounts were
mandatory.~\\

Here's the thing: I had zero idea how to use Twitter.~\emph{Wasn't it
something just like a Facebook status, except with a character
limit?}~Half-way through the conference, I realized everyone was
including what looked like keywords in their tweets -- and always after
that pound symbol (yes, ladies and gents: it was the hashtag). Clueless.
Or should I say: \#Clueless. I spent most of my efforts that year
crafting and posting thoughtful blog posts at the end of each day,
occasionally sharing them on Twitter.~\\

~\\

When the conference was over, the reality of graduate school hit
especially hard. I had worked a full-time job before re-starting student
life, and I was used to doing what I wanted with my time -- but the
\#phdlife dictates otherwise. My new life consisted of: class, lab,
class, lab, exams, lab papers, lab, seminars, lab -- with occasional
socialization. I largely stopped blogging because I felt guilty for
``wasting time''.\\

~\\

I'll skip over the details between year 3 and the present (year
whatever), because (1) word limits and (2) the details differ, but the
story is the same: graduate school can be a harrowing, soul-crushing,
and potentially isolating experience. I mean every word of that
sentence. Before you know it, you begin planning experiments with an
attitude that things are bound to fail. Funding and TAships are limited
and, besides, some researcher with more funding and resources is bound
to ``scoop'' you at any moment.~\\

~\\

Last year, I wanted to attend SfN again, and I wanted to talk science.
So I put together some findings from a study in our lab that was largely
``non-scoopable''. I also blogged -- and tweeted. The poster
presentation went well and, this time, I began tweeting like I'd fallen
out of the womb knowing how. In the end, though, it wasn't the lingo and
the pace with which I was able to keep up with \#sfn15 on Twitter that
was impressive. Instead, I was awed and surprised by the positive
attitude of the community of ``tweeps'' I began to follow and interact
with.~\\

~\\

In fact, I would go so far as to say that the scientists who have taken
to Twitter are part of a counter-culture to an otherwise cut-throat,
stifling, fiercely competitive, exhausted community of scientific
researchers. I know that the graduate school experience is a drop in the
bucket of tears and sweat that it takes to make it as a senior scientist
these days. Arguably, that's exactly why it's all the more important to
embrace a spirit of collaboration, outreach, openness and self-care. I
thought I was an outlier for believing as much, but it seems the tweeps
are with me on this.~\\

~\\

Lest anyone think that the only thing I love about Twitter are the
tweeps themselves (and this would be enough to keep me signed on), it's
important that I name just a few of the concrete ways in which social
media has positively impacted me as a researcher:~\\

~\\

\selectlanguage{ngerman}·~~~~~~\textbf{Resources}~shared under the hashtag \#OpenScience, have
allowed me the opportunity to see examples of successful grant
applications, job applications, and statements. ~\\

\selectlanguage{ngerman}·~~~~~~\textbf{Doors Open}. Because \href{http://bit.ly/2eQb8yR}{I
blogged}and shared on Twitter, my writing was visible and I was offered
the unique opportunity to write for the
\href{https://www.ntnu.edu/kavli/}{NTNU/Kavli Foundation} in Norway,
interview Nobel-prize winning scientists about their science, and learn
about their vision for neuroscience.\\

\selectlanguage{ngerman}·~~~~~~\textbf{Outreach:~}In addition to my freelance writing, I was a
host for a ro-cur Twitter account
\href{https://twitter.com/neurotweeps}{(NeuroTweeps)} to disseminate
science to the public. I also~contributed my science to a unique and
beautiful magazine
\href{https://twitter.com/Interstellate_}{(Interstellate)}.~\\

\selectlanguage{ngerman}·~~~~~~\textbf{Physical and Mental Health:~}I participated in \#47dopain
-- an exercise challenge (40 workouts within 47 days) with individuals
across the globe and continue to use the \#AcademicSelfCare hashtag to
take ``days off'' to unplug, and refresh.~\\

~\\

During the course of the past year, I have rediscovered my optimism, my
confidence, my curiosity -- and my love for science. While it might seem
that my plate is full now more than ever, I have actually been
re-energized and even more productive in lab. There's something about
feeling like we're all in this beautiful mess together that gives,
rather than takes away \#AllTheEnergy and \#AllTheHope.\\\selectlanguage{english}
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