Between 2023 and 2026, the Fediverse gained prominence in science communication. The Fediverse is a decentralized network of social platforms that emerged as alternatives to algorithm-driven “big tech” services: Mastodon as an alternative to Twitter/X, Pixelfed as an alternative to Instagram, and so on. A total of around 60 German universities (as of spring 2026) shifted parts of their public relations work to these platforms, driven by data protection concerns and political developments on the X platform, as well as a desire for a more respectful culture of debate.
The shift began with the withdrawal of established research institutions from centralized social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), after their moderation policies, transparency, and data security came under heavy criticism. Many researchers felt compelled to seek out alternative platforms.
On February 10, 2026, the Action Alliance for New Social Media published a public call to break away from major centralized platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube and instead use decentralized alternatives like Mastodon and PeerTube.
How is science communication going on Mastodon?
Since Mastodon offers a classic timeline and strictly displays only content that the platform’s users follow, reach on Mastodon tends to be limited but highly targeted. A tech-savvy, research-oriented community dominates. The platform increasingly serves as a hub for specialized communities rather than a mass medium. This is also intended in the design of the “Fediverse.”
Hof University of Applied Sciences on Mastodon
Hof University of Applied Sciences has been sharing its research findings on Mastodon since 2024.
The channel HomeOfResearch@wisskomm.social features regular updates on projects, findings, and events from research conducted in Hof and Münchberg. Several Hof professors are also active here, including Prof. Dr. Florian Adamsky and Prof. Dr. Claus Atzenbeck.
Getting Started in the Fediverse
There are helpful resources for all newcomers to the Fediverse. https://fedi.tips/, for example, provides not only an overview of how the Fediverse works but also detailed instructions on how to join Mastodon, which servers to choose, and how to host your own server.
European sovereignty in social media too: Action Alliance call to universities – datensicherheit.de
