Creating bite sized films from academic research

Ok you guys. I did it. I finally downloaded TikTok. And then not only that, but I made a … what do they even call it? A Tik? Or a Tok? I made a video. Let’s maybe keep it simple. OMG I am so Gen Y and that used to be cool but apparently now it is not.

Anyway despite the years of cringing in fear at the thought of having to navigate another social media platform, getting on TikTok has been SO REWARDING.

I’ve been working as an academic historian for over ten years and always wanted to reach a broader audience with my work. I did not want to write purely for the academic community. This was very much reflected in my early publications, which I wrote using copious jingoistic, colloquial phrases.

Somewhere along the academic journey I squashed all of that and became a little more ‘sophisticated’ in my approach. I was advised to drop the colloquialisms. I was told I did not sound academic enough. Then I got told my writing was a bit too much like something from the nineteenth century. Around this time I was also told my writing was like a sledge hammer… I actually liked that one.

Finally I found a sort of sweet spot which felt a bit like me, and still a bit academic-ish. My approach to draft writing may have frustrated many, but I got the job done.

After tiring of repeat casual contracts and the stress of that situation, I decided to launch my business as a social media support person for other academics, or really just anyone needing help sharing their research on social media platforms. In the process I’ve had to un-academic-ise my writing. As you can see, it’s an ongoing process, but I am more comfortable writing for non-academic audiences now than I have been for a long time. I still need to imagine an audience, as I did when writing my theses, but it’s quite a different one. This has been aided by doing exercises around ‘buyer personas’ and that marketing sort of stuff.

The fun part of TikTok for me has been experimenting with the different mode of story telling. I always loved incorporating images into my lectures, and this is an even more exciting, engaging format for that. And the best part on top of that is the music! Adding in music to visual imagery relating to the research I have done on Pacific histories for the last 12 or so years has made my heart sing. There is something you can convey with music that can not be caught by some academic rattling off a few sentences.

The biggest challenge is formatting the text, because of course I want to, and should, reference everything. But there is no/limited space. I’m figuring out ways to abbreviate and then if people want further information I respond in the comments rapidly. That’s my method of dealing with that until I find a better way.

So, those are my reflections. I am currently trying to figure out how to create longer-form videos for youtube so if you have any recommendations on what apps or platforms to use for that, I’d appreciate the advice. I’m experimenting with iMovie at the moment. It’s got some strong positives working in its favour.

Come find me on TikTok, TicTokers! My username is @kirstieclose