QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS: Exploring Academic Staff Engagement on Mastodon

This research project explores the role of Mastodon in academic communication. Sparked by a shift away from X/Twitter due to concerns over misinformation and harassment, Mastodon has become a growing space for scholarly exchange. Despite this trend, little is known about how academics engage with the platform. We conducted this study to understand academic staff's perceptions, motivations, usage patterns, and the platform’s potential benefits and challenges. The project employed a mixed-methods approach, resulting in a three-part study comprising (1) a literature review, (2) a quantitative survey, and (3) qualitative interviews. The quantitative analysis targeted academic staff who use Mastodon professionally. We recruited survey participants through the University of Groningen Library's Mastodon account between 21 and 31 October 2024.