Scientists and Professional Networking Websites

I’d like to switch topics here for a while away from my previous theme and write about a subject near and dear to my heart – The Science Advisory Board.

Ten years ago next week – that’s a DECADE before anyone started talking about “Web 2.0” – we launched The Science Advisory Board website. Today, we have more than 34,000 registered members and the Website boasts tens of thousands of pages of user-generated content in the form of white papers, blogs, a discussion forum and member-submitted reviews of products, books, databases and Websites. It’s this dynamic and vibrant community of scientists that sets us apart from our competition and enables us to deliver market insights to our clients with unmatched speed and precision.

So it’s with no small amount of indignation that I read articles and site reviews opining that maybe scientists are ready to embrace online professional networks!

Our members are scientific experts on the cutting edge of their disciplines and available to share in-depth knowledge of related technologies and discuss emerging trends. While their technical capabilities are broad given the multidisciplinary nature of scientific research, their insights are focused on specific areas of expertise. These areas of expertise include—but are not limited to—bioinformatics, biotechnology, cell biology, drug discovery, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, and virology.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve learned much about recruiting qualified scientists to our online community and perhaps more importantly, retaining their interest and participation. So in conclusion, at least from our perspective, Web 2.0 is sooooooooo 1997!