Audiovisual Content to Promote Women Scientists on the YouTube Channels of Spanish Biosanitary Research Institutes

Abstract

YouTube is an appropriate social network for disseminating scientific audiovisual content, and this content can help to make the position of women in science, and gender equality, more visible. The aim of this study is to analyse the visibility of women scientists on the YouTube channels of Spanish biosanitary research institutes accredited by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. A mixed study of the channels and communication departments of the institutions has been carried out, analysing metrics of audience impact, the type of audiovisual production and the use of YouTube in the institution. Of the 1914 videos analysed, 4% (n = 76) of the content is related to the visibility of women scientists and has little impact. The audiovisual production is basic and informative, without a dramatic narrative structure and focused on transmitting the personal experiences of women scientists. It is necessary to invest resources in institutions to improve the production and dissemination of content that makes women in the scientific field more visible, especially among students.

The Importance of Engagement in the Dissemination of Audio-Visual Content by Spanish Health Influencers on Instagram

“…The choice of this thematic group arose from the great impact they have on decision-making related to people's health (Lavorgna et al 2018;Juntiwasarakij 2018). Not only are they communicators, but they also have a responsibility to understand that what they post on their networks can have a direct impact on the well-being of the followers who rely on their expertise (Madathil et al 2015;Almela-Baeza et al 2021). This study analysed the type of content and the interaction that users have with influencers, which can help us to establish strategies to control the content and the impact of the health advice disseminated on health (Moravec et al 2018;García Jiménez 2013).…”

“…Although information from influencers has a greater impact and is better received by users than that of accredited professionals, (Madathil et al 2015;Almela-Baeza et al 2021), the growing demand for information due to SARS-CoV-2 has led to a growing trend of fake news through social media, which has questioned the work of health influencers (González Romo and Iriarte Aguirre 2020). Studies indicate that fake news is more likely to go viral, simply by reaffirming the beliefs of users with pre-established ideas about the topic (Moravec et al 2018).…”

“…Influencers create digital content and make live broadcasts to share personal experiences on healthy living, advice on how to handle health problems, or promote health-related products, achieving very significant audiences (Juntiwasarakij 2018;Abidin 2020). Although these influencers often have adequate training, the question arises as to whether this content, and the information they share, should be supervised by health professionals and accredited institutions (Madathil et al 2015;Almela-Baeza et al 2021). Collaboration between health institutions and communicators or influencers who create health information and content is very important (Madathil et al 2015).…”

Scandinavian Nurses’ Use of Social Media during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Berger and Luckman Inspired Analysis of a Qualitative Interview Study

“…In the current study, the shared and/or produced information largely aligned with dominant discourses on the management of COVID-19. Meanwhile, a study of female scientists’ dissemination of scientific information on YouTube ® shows that its impact is limited even though the contents are informative [ 66 ]. In the current study, however, nothing can be said about the reception of nurses’ shared information.…”