The research arena is evolving; scholars need a visibility profile beyond the academy.
A lot has changed over the past decade regarding what the role of research is supposed to be. In previous times, the research world was largely bound within the walls of universities, journals and scholarly institutions. For scholars and academicians, the priority was to write within an academic discourse and public visibility was largely an optional extra.
This has however shifted with time:
The new era of digital information sharing has changed the ways research is consumed and valued. Expertise can be disseminated to audiences worldwide almost instantly and researchers can make their voices heard in the professional and academic world through a multitude of different avenues rather than simply staying confined to lecture rooms, academic conferences or learned publications alone. They have the ability to influence industry practices, shape discussions and achieve thought-leadership regardless of their institution.
This evolution in ways research can be leveraged means that it is more valuable than ever before:
A dissertation is not simply another requirement within a degree program; it embodies years of intellectual thought, creativity and knowledge in a subject area and proves a researcher's analytical skills, problem-solving ability, capacity to form insightful contributions and ability to undertake complex research. These skills are of great interest to industries, organizations are actively looking for individuals who possess a logical and evidence based mindset.
Despite this however many researchers continue to lag in their success at leveraging the potential and impact of their research by failing to step beyond the academic confines of their institution. Traditional academic systems have tended to emphasize technical skills, while paying less attention to communication, visibility and positioning within the working world. Brilliant research will simply remain on a university shelf, unheard and unread, by the people that need it most.
Contemporary researchers therefore need to step beyond the confines of the academic world.
One of the most straightforward ways researchers can enhance visibility is through the publication of their research. While an article in a journal may be essential to cement their status within academic circles; publishing across other platforms will expand the researchers profile significantly. This is through the use ofblogs, books, webinars, podcasts, news letters and even online training materials enabling direct communication with professional and general public audiences.
This is particularly true in the modern era, as audiences in industry value clear communication and applicability of information. Academic discourse often excludes individuals with specialized interests; and scholars that can translate this into accessible information will inherently gain a wider audience.
Digital platforms have also successfully democratized the idea of intellectual recognition, meaning that researchers do not need to depend on institutions or publishers anymore for them to achieve recognition as specialists. Public profiles on platforms such as Linkedin, Medium, ResearchGate, or Google Scholar will build a world-wide following for the researcher, that is entirely separate from any existing university affiliation.
It is also important to focus on building a strong professional brand. Researchers that share useful information, engage in online discussions, present at conferences and submit thoughtful articles to other platforms, will establish their credibility over time.
Furthermore, increased visibility naturally creates opportunities. Speakers, consultants, collaborators, journalists and committee members will look to research scholars with strong visibility profiles when looking to outsource tasks or partnerships.
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