The Academic Designer

Dr. Carlotta Berry on Diversity in STEM and Online Presence

Carlotta Berry, PhD a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Robotics and owner of NoireSTEMinist, is dedicated to diversifying STEM through her Black STEM romance novels and extensive online presence. She creates her own GIFs, uses AI art to create visual representations for black and brown girls playing with robots, has websites, and is on social media.

Research Lab Websites

Jennifer van Alstyne on what a research lab website can do for you. Ideas for what pages to include on your research group website and considerations for principal investigators to help you know whether to D.I.Y. or hire professional support. A well-designed site can enhance visibility, opportunities for collaboration, and research funding.

Featured image for Lab Websites episode of The Social Academic. A black man browses a research lab website on a desktop screen.

Educational Technology and Personal Academic Websites with Dr. Elizabeth McAplin

Dr. Elizabeth McAplin, Director of Educational Research Technology at NYU, discusses educational technology, artificial intelligence, and personal academic websites on The Social Academic podcast. She emphasizes faculty collaboration and the use of technology to improve student learning experiences.

A graphic for the podcast episode of The Social Academic with Dr. Elizabeth McAplin. There's a circular photo of Elizabeth wearing glasses. There's a cutout photo of Jennifer van Alstyne, the podcast host, smiling. There are icons to represent educational technology, augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.

Winners of the 2023 Best Personal Academic Websites Contest

12 inspiring award-winning academic websites to inspire you. Explore the websites that won the 2nd annual Best Personal Academic Websites Contest.

Best Personal Academic Websites Contest 2023

Enter to win an award in the 2023 Best Personal Academic Websites Contest! We'd love to celebrate the hard work you put into your website.

Get Your Research Funded with Dr. Julia Barzyk

Are you a wise investigator? As a PI, getting your research funded is a priority. Meet Dr. Julia Barzyk who is uncovering the hidden curriculum to getting funding for your research.

Dr. Julia Barzyk of Wise Investigator featured interview guest on The Social Academic. Julia is standing with her arms lightly crossed. She is smiling widely wearing a black suit and French blue top.

How To Make A Personal Academic Website

This step-by-step guide teaches you how to create an academic personal website. Professors, learn how to make your personal website a reality.

A photo of Jennifer van Alstyne smiling. Behind Jennifer is a desktop screen with website wireframes, sketches of what a website may look like.

Writing Your Book for Minoritized Women Academics with Jane Jones, PhD

Book coach Jane Jones on anxieties and struggles when writing your book. Your book is meaningful and you want to see it out in the world. Authors, this interview is for you!

A graphic for featured interview on The Social Academic. Blue background with white text reads that the interview is with Jane Jones, PhD of Up In Consulting. There is an icon of headphones on a microphone to represent podcasting. A cutout photo of Jane, a black woman, is on the graphic. She is wearing a bright pink lace blazer over a light pink top, hoop earrings, and glasses. Jane is smiling and looking at the camera.

How I Got Started Helping Professors With Their Online Presence

Jennifer van Alstyne opens up about why she started her company, The Academic Designer LLC. And, how social media has impacted her life most.

7 Lessons for Academics Wanting to Use Social Media in 2023

What can academics learn about social media from reality TV? Jennifer talks about the new season of The Circle Netflix, sharing 7 tips to inspire professors for the new year.

Jennifer smiling wearing large over-the-ear headphones. She is ready to record the episode "7 lessons for academics wanting to use social media in 2023" for The Social Academic podcast and blog in her home office. Behind her is a bookcase, a faux fig tree, plants, and a llama vase with flowers.

LinkedIn for PhDs with Dr. Gertrude Nonterah of The Bold PhD

How can PhDs use LinkedIn to invite opportunity for themselves? Dr. Gertrude Nonterah is a LinkedIn expert. Learn how opening up about her struggle to find a job with a PhD helped people. And, invited job offers and opportunities!

Author Linda More on Attribution and Feeling Comfortable Talking About Your Book

Author Linda Moore talks about her new book Attribution (2022) about a PhD student named Cate who finds a mysterious painting in her university's basement. We dive into how to get comfortable talking about your book too!

A graphic for interview with author Linda Moore. A photo of Linda smiling. There is a large cutout of her novel, Attribution. The cover has a lush velvet drapery mostly covering a painting of a mostly nude woman. The painting looks like a masterpiece.

Winners of the 2022 Best Personal Academic Websites Contest

Announcing the winners of the 2022 Best Personal Academic Websites Contest! View examples of personal academic websites.

Get Your Ticket to 10 Keys to Building an Incredible Brand for Academics LIVE

I'm teaming up with Dr. Sheena Howard to bring you a live VIP event for academics. You're invited!

A Common Mistake Academics Make With Their Personal Websites

This common mistake may be hurting your Google Search results. Is your personal academic website showing up on the 1st page when someone searches your name?

A close up photo of a typewriter that has just typed the words 'your name' on a white sheet of paper.

3 Ways To Take New Photos For Your Website

What's the best way to take new photos for your website? Here are 3 options for you.

How to Get Media Attention For Your Research With Dr. Sheena Howard

How can academics get publicity and media attention for their work? Plus, what to charge for speaking engagements. Meet Dr. Sheena Howard.

A graphic for the interview featuring Dr. Sheena Howard of Rider University and the Power Your Research program on The Social Academic. Sheena is a black woman wearing large graphic earrings and a black and white patterned top. She is smiling.

Podcasting with Allanté Whitmore, PhD of Blk + In Grad School

Allanté Whitmore started her podcast Blk + In Grad School on an air mattress with her cell phone. Looking forward to a new season of motivation and inspiration for grad students.

Allante Whitmore PhD of Blk + In Grad School

What Are Informational Interviews? With Jennifer Polk, PhD

Informational interviews can help you get from PhD to Life. Meet career coach Dr. Jen Polk who joins me to talk about info interviews and networking.

Grad School with Dr. Toyin Alli of The Academic Society

Toyin Alli, PhD helps student succeed in grad school at The Academic Society LLC. She's a math lecturer who helps students survive grad school! We talk about her book, YouTube, and more.

Toyin Alli, PhD of The University of Georgia on The Social Academic blog and podcast

Academic Writing and Finding Community Online with Dr. Lisa Munro

Dr. Lisa Munro talks about how to kickstart your journal article. Did you know she has a private community for academic writers on Mighty Networks?

Lisa Munro, PhD on The Social Academic blog and podcast

Successes and Setbacks of Social Media Cheyenne Seymour, EdD

Cheyenne Seymour, EdD joins me to talk about her book Successes and Setbacks of Social Media: Impact on Academic Life.

Cheyenne Seymour, EdD of CUNY Bronx Community College on The Social Academic blog

Racism in Education in New Jersey with Walter D. Greason, PhD

Walter Greason, PhD returns to talk about racism in education in New Jersey, the January 6th insurrection, and the upcoming Black Panther movie.

Dan Marrable of 448 Studio Helps Academics with Digital Media and Technology

Did you attend a virtual event or conference during the pandemic? Meet Dan Marrable, founder of 448 Studio. We talk about digital media, events, and educational technology advancements.

Dan Marrable founder of 448 Studio on The Social Academic blog

Professor Chinasa Elue on Grief, Trauma, and Talking About Loss Online

How do you talk about grief and loss online? Chinasa Elue, PhD opens up about the death of her mom, and the research she's doing to help leaders move forward with trauma-informed practices.

Professor Chinasa Elue is smiling wearing a white blazer. Next to her is text words that read Chinasa Elue, PhD Kennesaw State University. There is an icon of a microphone with headphones over it to represent a podcast interview.

How to Update Your Personal Website

Is your website old or outdated? Here's how to get started updating your personal website.

A graphic of an old outdated computer in a library. On top of the graphic is an icon that says "http://" like the start of a website address with a mouse arrow icon

Graphical Abstracts and Animations To Share Your Science Online with Dr. Tullio Rossi

Tullio Rossi, PhD helps scientists share their research with visuals Dr. Tullio Rossi is a marine biologist turned entrepreneur helping scientists around the world share their research. Tullio found that video animations and graphical abstracts increase the impact of your science. And, they’re great for sharing your research with the media. Now as Director of…

Featured blog post graphic for a chat with Tullio Rossi, PhD on The Social Academic blog

Your Personal Website Can Grow Over Time with Interview Guest Jane CoomberSewell

Your personal website can adapt to meet your needs as they change over time. Hear from recent PhD Jane CoomberSewell on how her website redesign is going.

Gift Guide for Professors, Researchers, and Grad Students 2023

Discover 26 gift ideas for academics like you. This is the ultimate gift guide for professors and scientists like you.

RJ Thompson is a Professor and Digital Marketer in Higher Education

RJ Thompson, MFA is a digital marketer and a professor in Higher Education. Learn how to get better students and what it's like to collaborate with university communications to promote your research.

What Website Host Is Best For My Personal Website?

What is a website host? And, how do you choose one for your personal academic website?

7 LinkedIn Profile Tips for Graduate Students

LinkedIn is the best social media platform for graduate students. Get my top 8 tips for your LinkedIn profile!

Academic YouTubers Talk About Getting Started on YouTube

Susan Heavey, Franziska Sattler, Nichole Lewis, and Erika Romero join me for a featured interview about starting the Academic YouTubers community.

What Is Social Media Engagement? Likes, Shares, and Comments

Like, comment, and share: what's the best way to engage on social media? Discover 9 ways to interact with posts online.

A photo of Jennifer van Alstyne smiling with her arms open, above head hang signs of speech bubbles that read 'follow,' like,' and 'share'

Live on The Social Academic YouTube Channel

Social media, collaboration, and networking are all topics from the 2020 YouTube live series.

How to Update Your Social Media Profile in 10 Steps

You should update your social media profiles 1-2x per year. Here's a step-by-step guide to help.

Is Social Media Consuming Your Life? Let’s Talk About Digital Wellbeing

Do you feel like social media is consuming your life? Hear from academics like you. And, get tips to spend less time on social media.

Aaron Shepard Talks NASA, Robots, and Starting Company Cogito

Aaron Shepard is a robotics intern at NASA Langley. This feature interview focuses on talking about your science on video. Learn about Aaron's TEDx Talk and why he loves science communication.

Aaron Shepard feature interview on The Social Academic blog

What are Social Media Stories? Sharing Stories on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube

Social media stories are a limited time 24-hour social media post, and they're a great way to connect with your audience.

Jennifer Adams Talks Being an Instagram Influencer and PhD Life

PhD student Jennifer Adams @RunwayRedLA joins me to talk about what it's like to be an Instagram influencer.

Gift Guide for Academics and Researchers 2020

What should you ask for this holiday season? Check out my top recommendations for your gift list in 2020 for professors and researchers like you.

Writer Steven Dunn Talks Facebook and Community

Novelist Steven Dunn joins me to talk about writing, Facebook, and being yourself online: "Facebook is my playtime."

When Tweets Go Wrong: Dealing with Negative Reactions on Twitter

A common fear or anxiety academics have about Twitter is that someone will have have a strong negative reaction to something you share. The extreme version of that fear: What happens if your tweet becomes front page news? Let's talk about what happens when tweets go wrong.