ESPRAS is a neutral society, committed to connections, collaboration and knowledge-sharing. For us as an organisation to connect with the most relevant audience possible, we utilise the incredible reach of social media. This allows us to view and share information and events in a way that was not possible just a few years ago. Our online presence matters to us, and to the European surgical community, and we use our social media platforms responsibly, constantly reviewing on which platforms we are well-placed, and where the conversations are happening.
To facilitate ongoing conversation, ESPRAS has decided to move from X to BlueSky. BlueSky is gaining popularity among medical and surgical professionals and institutions, and we feel it is where we are best placed to ensure we continue to be central to conversation about European surgery. BlueSky is community-driven and decentralised, not as algorithm-heavy as X, with notable organisations such as the European Medicines Agency having already made the transition over, and the European Federation of Journalists choosing to cease posting on X.
Moving away from X, where we have spent years building our following, initially felt like a big move. Our experience with BlueSky shows a positive and easy transition, better than anticipated (there are tools available to help transfer X followers/follows to BlueSky). Throughout this transition, we immediately noticed another obvious benefit of BlueSky in its use of starter packs. This resource allows you to search for relevant subjects, such as surgery, anaesthetists, etc., and follow multiple accounts with just one click. In following ‘packs’ of relevant accounts, you can instantly curate your feed, making growth and connection much easier than we thought!
Our initial impression of BlueSky is that it places authenticity and professional communities at its heart, which aligns with ESPRAS’s own values, which focus on accuracy and respectful exchanges. In hindsight, it is of no surprise that many of our peers have made the move, and we are very much hoping there are many more to follow.[1] The platform allows you to tweak settings: muting/blocking users, choosing who can quote and reply to content, muting words and tags, and choosing how to display your feed.
Consultant plastic surgeon and ESPRAS President, Mark Henley, says:
“The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and it is our job to keep up with it to ensure that the work of ESPRAS is central to conversation about European surgery. We are excited to be a part of a growing community of established professionals and societies.”
Of course, ESPRAS wishes to remain present in key professional conversations, and we have confidence that BlueSky can facilitate this for us. We continue to respect collaborative engagement, which aligns with the needs of the scientific and surgical communities. We will continue to share on Instagram and LinkedIn, and we encourage all to follow us on every platform to make the most of the resources we share. Head over to @espraseurope on BlueSky, and @espras_europe on Instagram and LinkedIn.
See you there!
[1] https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/xs-dominance-over-bluesky-becomes-new-hub-research
https://labhorizons.co.uk/2024/11/science-social-media-shift-from-x-to-bluesky-continues/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03784-6
https://www.digitalintervention.com/?p=268
The Exodus from X to Bluesky: Healthcare Professionals Leading the Shift
