Why networking is one of the most under-rated research skills?

 When one thinks about successful researchers, the traits that often come to mind are intelligence, technical expertise, and publications. Few people mention networking, but it is undoubtedly one of the most impactful skills that any academic could acquire.

Research is a collaborative field in the sense that one piece of work builds on previous research and becomes a component of a larger discourse. By networking, a researcher can learn to become a part of that discourse and open himself up to a wide range of research possibilities: professional networking provides opportunities for mentorship, partnership in projects, sharing of resources, knowledge transfer, as well as the opportunity for researchers to get to know others that have been there done that-whether its finding the funding for research, conducting complex experiments, or publishing the work.

Conferences remain a good medium for developing professional networks; attending conferences to present one's work provides one with opportunity to connect with leaders and experts in one's field of research, thereby fostering relationship that can lead to future collaboration and mentorship.Networking increases visibility; scientists often tend to read, share and cite works with people who are already known to them, thus a broader visibility to the research would enable a greater interaction with fellow researchers. Networking across international borders, in particular, would allow more researchers and more research centers to engage in the collaborative research leading to higher dissemination, larger research impact, wider knowledge sharing across cultures.

Now with technology the opportunities for research networking have dramatically increased; in the age of instant communication research collaboration and networking are taking place virtually between universities and between countries thanks to the social networks and online professional forums.

Some young researchers are hesitant to startnetworking because they think they have little to offer; actually, the willingness to learn and ask questions, interest and curiosity is what many researcher look for when looking for a partner to work with in a project. Networking is not a self-promoting activity, it can lead to mutual benefit for learning, and support of research and innovation. The biggest breakthroughs, after all, came from small networks of people that knew each other and trusted each other. The power is in the connection; research may involve dealing with information and facts, but relationships may be what influence how far the facts can travel.

Read More: https://www.globalxpublications.com/blog/how-to-increase-research-citations-and-academic-visibility