SCHOLARS TO LEADERS SPEAKER SERIES | March 2024
Harnessing the Power of Social Media as a Researcher
Curious about the potential impact of sharing your research on social media? Or wondering how to leverage your expertise effectively to build a personal brand? Join Dr. Parshati Patel as she shares insights on communicating your research to wider audiences through social media. In this talk, you will discover strategies for building a personal brand authentically and learn how your online presence can propel your career while forging connections globally and unlocking exciting new opportunities. Parshati will share her journey of utilizing social media to cultivate her personal brand, leading her to diverse and unique opportunities within and beyond her area of expertise!
Speaker Bio
Dr. Parshati Patel is an astrophysicist, science communicator, educator, author, and artist based in London, Ontario. She holds an Honours. B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy from University of Toronto, along with an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Astronomy and Planetary Science & Exploration from Western University. Her doctoral research focused on the study of young, massive stars and the disks surrounding them.
During her graduate studies, Parshati discovered her passion for science communication and transitioned into the field after completing her Ph.D. Over the past decade, she has dedicated herself to fostering awareness about space among the masses, particularly among the youth. Her commitment to public engagement is evident through her leadership in spearheading award-winning space outreach initiatives and organizing over 400 educational workshops and public events. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, she has delivered over 75 invited talks and actively contributes regularly to the media, with over 100 interviews conducted both in-person and online.
Previously, Parshati has worked at Western University’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration as Educational Outreach and Communications Specialist as well as on an assignment to the Canadian Space Agency as the Program Designer and Education Advisor in their Youth STEM Initiatives team. Currently, she is a freelance professional offering her expertise to a diverse range of organizations and audiences.
In addition to consulting for science books, Parshati has also authored a children’s book called ‘My Books of Stars and Planets’. She holds a Professional Certificate in Communications and Public Relations, as well as a Certificate in Digital Communications, Innovative Thinking and Project Management from Western Continuing Studies.
