Purpose –Recent studies demonstrate the serious infuence of social media on
scholarly communication. However, scientists from academia seem to be rather carful in trying new technologies (Kaiser, Köhler, Weith 2016), with most preferring private channels frst (Pscheida et al., 2013). Nevertheless, science and innovation are a public issue of wide interest. Communication is a fundamental prerequisite for transfer of information and creation of knowledge, but not suffcient to sustainably implement knowledge in society (Johnson & Chang 2000). Any innovative development from R&D needs to be published and distributed by means of communication and learning. Only if processes of learning are added relevant knowledge can be converted into actions and become effective (Larsen-Freeman 2013).

Design/methodology/approach – New media technologies open up a variety of
technological tools and innovative individual and organizational collaboration
patterns. Does science consider such opportunities? What kind of data can be used to investigate the ICT / social media usage from a functional perspective? The authors decided to build their argumentation on two cases studies, describing the structural design of research networks, which are indeed quite similar. Therefore, the funding measure „Sustainable Land Management” as well as the research network „eScience Saxony” were considered. Both combine a series of smaller R&D projects within the context of a wider network. The data shows, however, differences in structure and scope (some projects follow a transdisciplinary approach while others do not) as well as further similarities in relation to the usage of social media.