Crowd-sourced particle physics stories from DESY-CMS

TL;DR

This paper describes the development and impact of the CMS at DESY Instagram account, which promotes particle physics research and engages young scientists through social media outreach.

Contribution

It introduces a social media outreach initiative using Instagram to communicate particle physics and involve early career researchers in science communication.

Findings

Increased public engagement with particle physics content.

Opportunities for young scientists to develop communication skills.

Positive feedback from the target audience.

Abstract

The CMS at DESY outreach Instagram account (@cmsatdesy) serves as a platform for science communication and outreach for a large experimental particle physics group. The initiative aims to promote scientific research, engage young scientists in outreach activities, and showcase their contributions. Instagram was chosen for its strong alignment with the target demographic and its broad user base in Germany and internationally. The account highlights the work of young scientists, providing insights into their scientific journeys and disseminating particle physics outreach content. Multiple contributors collaborate on content creation, offering early career researchers opportunities for training in science communication while maintaining a manageable time commitment. This paper presents the evolution of the project, its initial objectives, target audience, and the experiences gained in content development and public engagement on social media platforms.