As an early-career researcher in Arabic linguistics, I am interested in understanding how academics can develop a personal brand that goes beyond publishing articles. Specifically, how can a researcher strengthen their professional identity in a way that:
- increases the credibility and visibility of their research,
- makes them more recognized in their field of specialization,
- opens the door to wider academic and scientific collaboration, and
- creates better career opportunities both in their home country and internationally?
I would appreciate insights, strategies, or examples from experienced researchers who have successfully built such a personal brand in academia.
To achieve an academic visibility beyond publications themselves, a researcher needs to be on plateforms like this one, but also Googlescholar and Academia. One also needs to interact on those plateforms.
It is also important to have membership in professional organisations in order to be updated on current developments in one's discipline.
A researcher can build a strong personal brand by publishing papers people actually want to read, tweeting their breakthroughs in under 280 characters, looking mysterious yet approachable on LinkedIn, and pretending every coffee break is “networking.” Instant credibility, maximum visibility, and maybe even free conference snacks.