Social Media in Times of Crisis Post Event

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Social Media in Times of Crisis Post Event

SOCIAL MEDIA IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Context

The unprecedented use and role of social media during the recent devastating floods occurring in South-East Queensland has emerged as a singularly unifying issue in both the lead-up and clean up to a natural disaster which destroyed lives, houses and property.

Although online and mobile media is now well established as a significant tool for public communication among citizens and civic authorities, its astounding role during the floods as both a source of primary source of official communication and amplification of interpersonal and word-of-mouth communication has attracted significant attention and analysis in the worlds of both academia and policy.

Instant communication using social media such as Twitter and Facebook helps citizens to maintain a constant dialogue with governments; this dialogue can be especially valuable during times of crisis, but requires a careful recalibration of communication strategies on both sides in order to maximise efficiency and avoid the spreading of misinformation.

About the event

On Monday 4th April 2011, Eidos Institute, in partnership with Queensland University of Technology, held a high level Conference focused on Social Media in Times of Crisis. Chaired by Professor Terry Flew (QUT) and facilitated by Dennis Atkins (National Affairs Editor, The Courier Mail), the Conference examined the unprecedented use and role of social media during the recent devastating floods occurring in South-East Queensland.

Discussion featured an analysis of online public communication during the floods and encompassed remarks from key decision-makers at various levels of government. Guests heard Kym Charlton, Director of Media and Public Affairs for Queensland Police Services detail the evolution of QPS’ use of online social media during the Queensland Floods and were presented with the leading research of QUT academics Dr. Axel Bruns and Dr. Jean Burgess on the broader use of social media during times of crisis and natural disaster.

The Conference generated significant media coverage and attention, profiling Eidos network academics and profiling leading research and governmental and non-governmental responses to this timely and topical issue. Eidos and its partners are seeking to capitalize on the momentum generated by this event and continue conversation in future National Conference events held in capital cities throughout Australia.

Contributors

Dennis Atkins; National Affairs Editor, Courier Mail
Dr. Mark Bahnisch; Sociologist and Social Media Expert
Dr. Axel Bruns; ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation, Queensland University of Technology
Dr. Jean Burgess; ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation, Queensland University of Technology
Kym Charlton; Executive Director Media and Public Affairs, Queensland Police Services
Eileen Culleton; Emergency 2.0 Wiki Project Leader, Gov2qld
Professor Terry Flew; Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology
Amanda Gearing; MA Research, Queensland University of Technology
Dr. Kelly McWilliam; Communication and Media, University of Southern Queensland
Monique Potts; ABC Innovation

Media coverage

Please find below a brief highlighted selection of news media covering the Eidos/Queensland University of Technology National Conference on Social Media in Times of Crisis: