e-conversion aims to broaden engagement on platforms like Bluesky and LinkedIn (Photo: Adobe Stock).
The Excellence Cluster e-conversion will – in line with the German Research Foundation (DFG) – withdraw from Platform X, formerly Twitter. This decision is made in light of well-known developments and in alignment with the values that e-conversion stands for.
In a press release, the President of Germany’s largest research funding organization and central self-governing organization for research, Professor Dr. Katja Becker, stated: “Research thrives on freedom, openness, and tolerance in a democratic society and is able to contribute to such a society in a range of different ways. Its unifying strength gains even greater importance when inclusive pluralism is increasingly contested. For this reason, we long believed it was right to be active on the platform X, formerly Twitter: our aim was to demonstrate to our own target groups and others the value of free, knowledge-driven and fact-oriented research while contributing to an open and diverse process of opinion formation. Since the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, this has been increasingly difficult, as the platform has gradually moved away from the values and principles of science in recent months. In view of this and given the recent statements issued on X relating to current political developments and party politics, we now believe a red line has been crossed. Such statements are not least attacks on the values upheld by the DFG and to which it is deeply committed.”
Becker went on: “By leaving the platform, we are sending a clear message against the spread of fake news and the political instrumentalization of social media – as are an increasing number of individuals and institutions within the research community and indeed from all sections of society. At the same time, we remain very interested in fostering an open and diverse exchange of opinions on social media and will continue to actively pursue such dialogue. For this reason, we aim to broaden our engagement on other platforms such as Bluesky and LinkedIn. Our specific activities will be determined by the further development of the individual platforms and not least by their underlying governance, as in the case of Instagram.”
The Excellence Cluster e-conversion remains actively engaged in promoting open and fact-based discussions. Therefore, its presence on alternative platforms such as Bluesky and LinkedIn will be strengthened. Future social media activities will be guided by the further development of individual platforms and by whether they provide a constructive and science-friendly environment.
Further information will follow shortly.