Using social media to promote the radiography subject area

Abstract

• Aims/Objectives - To share our experiences of using social media to raise the profile of the Radiography Subject Area . -To illustrate how social media can be used promote a team’s authority to teach, and support recruitment • Content of presentation The Radiography Subject Area Facebook page was launched in January 2013. It was designed to raise our profile with potential students, current students, and stakeholders such as clinical partners. The Facebook page is used by the team to showcase innovative teaching sessions, and key events that the subject area is involved in. Alongside the Facebook page, a number of staff created their own LinkedIn profiles. These profiles allow staff to showcase their skills & expertise, and create links to work they have done e.g. publications. • Relevance/Impact The reach of the Facebook page is proving substantial, with some posts (such as the heart dissection) being seen by over 400 people. The use of LinkedIn profiles has aided in networking by allowing staff to connect with both senior academics within our own institution, and key figures within the radiography profession. • Outcomes The careful use of social media has many potential benefits to HE programmes, in particular for communication and networking (Jadu, 2009). As such it was part of our strategy for 2012-13 to embed social media into our subject area. • Discussion There are plans to extend the use of Social Media to include a YouTube channel and to look at Twitter, Pinterest and Flickr. Promotion of our Facebook page is on-going.