Why scientists are flocking to Substack
10 days ago
- #Substack
- #science-communication
- #public-health
- Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist, turned to Substack after being hacked on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Substack allows for longer-form, nuanced discussions and direct engagement with subscribers via email newsletters.
- Jetelina's Substack, 'Your Local Epidemiologist,' now has over 400,000 subscribers and covers broader public health topics beyond the pandemic.
- Substack provides a platform for independent writers to monetize their work and has grown rapidly with millions of subscribers.
- Scientists and academics use Substack to share evidence-based research directly with the public, bypassing traditional publishing constraints.
- Despite its benefits, Substack has drawbacks, including the challenge of building a following and the presence of anti-vaccine content.
- Substack and similar platforms are seen as more effective for reaching engaged audiences compared to conventional social media.
- The platform fosters community engagement and is popular among younger readers, with a significant user base in the United States.
- Substack offers scientists more freedom and faster publishing timelines compared to traditional journals or online publications.
- Monetization is possible on Substack, with some scientists generating enough revenue to focus full-time on their newsletters.