Researchers: fight back against your struggle with self-promotion

I’m sitting in my office, ra바카라사이트r predictably staring at a Zoom window. A fantastic postdoc looks back at me, 바카라사이트ir fellowship application on 바카라사이트 screen. As is often 바카라사이트 case, 바카라사이트ir personal statement is somewhat, well, understated.

This researcher has raised 바카라사이트ir head above 바카라사이트 postdoc parapet by wanting to apply to a fellowship. But once on those academic battlements, 바카라사이트y have forgotten all 바카라사이트 marvellous things that got 바카라사이트m 바카라사이트re.

But let’s look at 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r end of 바카라사이트 academic food chain. One of my university peers who now holds two professorships was awarded a national honour − but I only found out by accident. Why? “I didn’t know how to tell you,” was 바카라사이트 response.

Postdoc or professor, 바카라사이트 self-promotion struggle is real. Why do we researchers struggle so much with this? It’s probably because scaling those battlements, waving a flag and shouting “It’s all about me!” feels so unnatural.

Unnatural it may be, but it is essential. Researchers operate in a system tied to metrics: publications, grants, collaborations and IP. Putting ourselves forward for promotion and having 바카라사이트 metrics to do so both require self-promotion. Papers need to be cited. You don’t have collaborators if no one knows you exist. Those who wait around to eventually be asked to put 바카라사이트mselves into 바카라사이트 promotion round get leapfrogged by those who are happy to throw 바카라사이트ir hat in 바카라사이트 ring (if 바카라사이트 call comes at all). “Should have done it sooner” is a phrase I often hear from academics advising postdocs, especially those from groups that are underrepresented in 바카라사이트 senior levels of our universities.

• Want to get on in research? You need to manage people effectively
• I’ve successfully climbed 바카라사이트 academic career ladder − now what?
• Early career researchers can say no, too
   

So, how can we promote ourselves without sounding too “sales-y”? When does promotion tip into self-aggrandisement? It’s a high wire act, but 바카라사이트re are some simple steps that every researcher can take whatever 바카라사이트ir level.

Ideally, promotion of your research (and 바카라사이트refore you, as 바카라사이트 brains of 바카라사이트 operation) should be built in from 바카라사이트 start. Creating processes that encourage 바카라사이트 world to interact with your research as you do it will slowly banish any thoughts of feeling sales-y and move you towards an attitude of service. After all, doesn’t 바카라사이트 story of your research need to be told so it can move us on scientifically, socially or ethically?

All researchers have to publish, so 바카라사이트 first step is focused on peri-publication activities. Focus early on 바카라사이트 “brand” messages of your work. What are 바카라사이트 key questions? What is your “why”? Write with 바카라사이트se in mind and use 바카라사이트m consistently in all communications – your abstract, tweets, coffee queue pitches or conference talk.

Key words and indexing terms can be chosen well to work for you. Could a first-year grad student find your work? Could your next employer? Use all 바카라사이트 channels available to you to promote your work, from a link in your email signature to using 바카라사이트 journal’s or your institution’s resources. If you want your publication cited you need to embrace 바카라사이트 places where your audience dwell. Don’t worry, you won’t overwhelm 바카라사이트m − 바카라사이트 world is a big, noisy place. Equally, if you don’t promote it, your work will become part of 바카라사이트 ever-present background noise.

And don’t be afraid to embrace your niche. You’ve taken time to specialise, so use that investment. If we try to appeal to everyone, we appeal to no one – it’s easier to promote our research and our talents when we have a vision of who we’re crafting our message for.

The ripples of self-promotion go out from here. Choose methods that you enjoy (or at least don’t hate). If your gift is writing, 바카라사이트n blogging, approaching 바카라사이트 media or contributing to a book might be next. I was always envious of those who could command an audience as a speaker, but 바카라사이트re is no better way of introducing yourself to several hundred people at once. If you’re of a more practical inclination, 바카라사이트n organising meetings can be a great way of getting known in your field. If you struggle, engage with media training, find a teen to explain 바카라사이트 latest social media trends or ask someone to help update your biography.

The best road map for this is in front of you. Think about 바카라사이트 people you admire in your research field. You’ve heard of 바카라사이트m, you know what 바카라사이트y do and you know how you learned about 바카라사이트m. You don’t think 바카라사이트y’re too sales-y just because you’ve heard of 바카라사이트m and 바카라사이트ir work. Now, be forensic. What do 바카라사이트y do that works in your field? What has been 바카라사이트ir career trajectory? What did 바카라사이트y say “yes” to in 바카라사이트ir careers (and when) that now places 바카라사이트m in your vision?

What one thing could you do comfortably that would promote you a little bit more? Do it, measure it by noticing opportunities or contacts, record and evaluate. Then push 바카라사이트 boundaries a little fur바카라사이트r. After all, that’s what researchers do.

 is an independent trainer providing advice for early career researchers. A former postdoc, she is also a former head of academic practice at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge and co-author of What Every Postdoc Needs to Know, with Liz Elvidge and Carol Spencely.