Minerva specialises in supporting and training researchers to engage with social media channels to drive awareness and understanding of their scientific programmes with public and targeted audiences. During 2020 and into 2021, Minerva has delivered these training sessions online, utilising a range of software applications to share practical tools whilst also co-creating content and collateral.

As part of Minerva’s strategic alliance with ESCI – European Science Communications Institute – social media training sessions are being delivered in 2021 for four of the H2020 EU funded research projects for which ESCI is the communications partner. Minerva Director Rhonda Smith, Communications Strategist, and Marie Saville, Account Manager and Social Media Expert trainer, are delivering these tailor-made half-day interactive sessions.

 The EU funded projects in focus are–Sea4value (https://sea4value.eu/), Model2Bio (https://www.model2bio.eu/), RECLAIM (https:// www.reclaim-project.eu/) and e-BALANCE (http://ebalance-project.eu/).

“Whilst the subject of and targeted stakeholders for each of these projects is completely different,” explains Rhonda, “the process of developing a strategic approach to social media programming is the same, together with many of the tools to create and deliver content. Our aim is to help partners create and project their own stories for personal, professional, academic and for some commercial benefit.”

The interactive online sessions provide a step-by-step approach to building recognition and reputation by creating effective social media posts using tailored content and choosing the most appropriate channels.

“Minerva has worked with and provided professional training for many organisations and EU funded projects enhancing the communication skills of scientists and experts – social, online and mainstream,” Rhonda continues. “Tailoring of content and approach is vital to create engagement with candidates and deliver the best results.”

If your organisation or project would benefit from bespoke communications training with defined objectives, please be in touch.