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Dear SPA member, Have you ever wondered how social media might help you join social policy debates, communicate with like-minded people, or take your interests and findings to a wider audience; but don’t know where to start? In the Winter/Spring issue of Policy World (published in early February) we will be devoting a section to the use of social media. As well as providing an introduction to the world of Twitter, Facebook, blogging and more, we also hope to feature the real life experiences of first-time users as they familiarise themselves with these increasingly popular media. Could one of them be you? We’re not looking for a big commitment – just a little time spent exploring an area that interests you, and then writing a short piece on how you have found it. We won’t expect you to have changed the world, but we will be keen to learn whether you found the media easy to use and worth the effort. And you needn’t be alone. Guided by Nicki Senior, who is in the process of developing a practical introduction to the use of social media for the Association, we can help you to find both people and discussions relevant to your area of interest, and deal with any technical aspects. If you would like to be one of the SPA’s ‘social media guinea pigs’, simply send me an email by indicating your subject area and any topics in which you have a particular interest. Whilst we will only be able to use reports from a limited number of participants for reasons of space, we will of course do our best to help everybody who would like to have a go. I hope this idea appeals, and look forward to hearing from you. With best wishes Chris Blunkell Editor Policy World