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UPHEAVALS IN SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT

Dr Melanie ThomsonDeakin Medical School

m.thomson@deakin.edu.au

@Dr_Mel_Thomson (Twitter)

Blog: www.drmelthomson.wordpress.com

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My Undergrad years: A Kuhnian revelation

Pic: http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/aug/19/thomas-kuhn-structure-scientific-revolutions#img-1

Old model of ‘how science works’ = incremental iterative change in scientific knowledge

‘Standing on the shoulders of Giants’

Kuhn: ‘Paradigm Shifts’ when a established model system is replaced rapidly with a new ‘gold standard’

(Med biotech: CRISPR for GMOs)

Kuhn Philosophy in a Nutshell: Paradigm shifts are often conducted by ‘outsiders’ that are not indoctrinated in the model system

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Research Crowd Funding in Oz: The beginning

• Deakin-Pozible.com partnership

• Pozible founder Rick Chen, me & Dr Michelle Harvey

Prof Deb Verhoeven

Chair in Media and CommunicationFaculty of Arts & EducationSchool of Communication & Creative Arts

deb.verhoeven@deakin.edu.au@bestqualitycrab on Twitter

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Pozible-ly, rewarding for donors?

Rewards turned out to be an important part of the process

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Crowd funding: Teaches you to ‘pitch’ and deal with the horror of the ‘Valley of Death’

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A real life Crowd : Community Engagement

Cons: Can get hostility from punters

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‘No more Poo Taboo’ #Cdiff campaign

• #nopootaboo• #undiesforcdiff

Outtakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmTQh3IM_1k

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A real life Crowd : Community Engagement

Organiser: Fiona Topolcsanyi

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OUR MAGGOTS AND BUG IN CANBERRA!

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Crowd Funding: Not for the faint of heart!

Cost • Pricey on Time!! (10-20 hrs on top of Academic job!)• $$ return per hour….approximates to less than minimum wage• Seen as ‘zany’ = non credible by science establishment??

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Both of my CF ‘Mentees’ from this article are now in ‘industry jobs’ in Med Biotech in Australia.

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Crowd Funding: Not for the faint of heart!

Cost • Pricey on Time!! (10-20 hrs on top of Academic job!)• $$ return per hour….less than minimum wage• Seen as ‘zany’ = non credible by science establishment??Benefit• Raised profile in local and national communities• ‘Ripple Effect’ still in action…several further donations• Obtain network of random ‘cheerleaders’

for your science

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‘Ripple Effect’ of community engagement

• Approx $5,000 extra donations (so far!)

• Plus $37,000 Grants

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The Process and Potential $$ GainsDeakin Process:• Internal committee to assess ‘NOIS’ applications• Training workshops • Run campaigns in batches• Social Media support

HOW MUCH CAN YOU ACHIEVE?

• $1,000-$1,500 – Easy, get this in first week Family & friends• $5,000 – Moderate, should be achievable in 30-45 days• $10,000 – $15,000 – Hard work, need good strategy• $20,000 - Very Hard work, need larger existing audience to tap• $50,000 -100,000+ TELL THEM ‘You’re Dreaming’!!!

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Why are you NOT on social media to ‘sell’ your research and to network??

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Academic work force – Adapt or Die?

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Twitter: Online Research Community

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‘Real Life’ Community engagement

Invited Smart Geelong Op Ed Column in Geelong Advertiser Nov 2014

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Twitter Advocacy can be powerful!

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Do I have time to develop an online profile?• Give yourself a time limit to learn new App

technology….DISCARD those that do not suit you• Big Three are Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn• Set up ‘professional’ Facebook and Twitter Accounts

and set on to replicate posts on the other• Consider starting a blog to help you get into the

‘habit’ of writing• Crowd funding is good for raising profile and gaining

seed funds and kudos, but labour intensive• Social Media can be used to further professional

networks, esp. at EMCR and PhD student levels• Social Media is good for Advocacy • Make sure you do ‘Real Life’ engagement too!

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SPONSORS: 129 + 180 + 161 individuals @pozible.com +

Jane den HollanderLee AstheimerDeb VerhoevenMichelle HarveyJoyce SeitzingerColin WarrenStuart PalmerRebecca PlantRyan RaybouldKris Pechotsch

PozibleRick ChenMatt Benetti

Gillian TurnerCatherine DonaldsonJames HutsonKim FoaleMichelle Banks

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http://www.slideshare.net/debver/crowdfunding-university-research

http://www.slideshare.net/debver/report-evauatinresearch-myworld

http://www.slideshare.net/debver/checklists-crowdfunding-research

http://www.pozible.com/research

Lancet Crowd funding paper: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2814%2961661-5/fulltext?rss%3Dyes

Science Busking Interview: http://au.pcmag.com/pc-mag-australia/29589/news/science-busking-for-research-funds-crowdfunding-in

My Blog: www.drmelthomson.wordpress.com

1st Campaign www.pozible.com/mightymaggots

2nd Campaign www.pozible.com/hips4hipsters

3rd Campaign: www.pozible.com/nopootaboo

Twitter for Public health paper: http://www.phrp.com.au/issues/july-2015-volume-25-issue-3/australias-followed-twitter-accounts-health-medicine/

‘Research my World’ Crowd Funding Links

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Crowd Funding Tips for University Admin

• Requires support from the highest level (VC/DVCR)• Requires support of financial officers in Research Office

and at local Departmental level• Consideration for admin burden of tax receipts ->

Philanthropy office?

• Practicalities: • WHICH PLATFORM? External or Internal?• Official You Tube account• Pay Pal account needed• Multi Media/Comms support?• ‘Coalition of the willing’ team of Social Media Mentors