On May 24 ASHG excitedly announced the launch of a new member benefit, ASHG Connect, an online member community to Connect, Communicate, and Collaborate with peers. Users can expect to actively communicate with ASHG members, staff, and leadership and meet others with similar ideas, interests, and issues. The vision for ASHG Connect is to become the premier network where members can network and share ideas in a manner that enhances and reinforces ASHG’s mission to advance human genetics and genomics. ASHG took some time to conduct a virtual sit-down interview featuring Membership Engagement Committee Chair, Nancy Spinner, PhD who spearheaded the effort of the launch alongside the ASHG membership team and other volunteer leaders.
Can you explain the value and benefit in having this online community, ASHG Connect, for ASHG members?
As usage picks up steam, members will have a chance to disseminate information about their own work, learn about the work of others, stay connected with colleagues, and participate in discussions. With so much going on in the world of human genetics, staying connected to colleagues working around the world is increasingly beneficial. And on top of the inherent benefits, there are the challenges presented by the COVID19 pandemic. So, we think that having a way to stay connected, especially in a time of limited travel will help everyone to be informed about new developments that might impact their own work and provide a forum for interaction.
What are some of your favorite features of the ASHG Connect platform and how do you plan to use it as a member of the ASHG community?
I’m looking forward to participating in the Special Interest Groups (SIGs), learning about highlighted articles and staying up to date on happenings in the community. I’m also looking forward to hearing from junior Society members who are looking for career advice.
What do you hope members take away from using the platform?
That our community is an inclusive and interactive group anxious to discuss science with their peers. There are a lot of ways to get involved with The American Society of Human Genetics and we hope that this tool seeds interest.
What makes the ASHG connect platform unique and stand apart from utilizing other social platforms to connect with others?
With its focus on the ASHG membership, there is a strong worldwide community with overlapping interests. We’ll be easy to find by our members, and we’re hoping to serve as a central landing base for Human Genetics.
What tips would you give someone who is new to the platform on how best to connect with others and start conversations?
Explore the site and do not be shy. Investigate Special Interest Groups (SIGs), join a community, post your favorite papers, start a discussion, or participate in an ongoing one.
Now that you know a bit more about the platform, it’s time to login and get started on making connections with your peers. Review the below instructions as well as a step-by-step tutorial on how best to navigate the platform. We look forward to chatting with you online!
If you’re a current ASHG Member:
- Complete the SIG Signup Form.
- Indicate which SIGs you would like to join and click Submit.
- You should be able to access the SIG immediately when you login to ASHG Connect.
If you’re a Non-Member:
- In order to access ASHG Connect, you will need to become a member.
- Navigate here to join or renew your membership.
- Once you have selected your membership type, you will be asked if you want to add anything additional to your membership. This is where you can select which SIG you want to join.
- After you complete the transaction, you should be able to access the SIG immediately when you login to ASHG Connect.
Questions or experiencing trouble logging in? Email us at membership@ashg.org.