LinkedIn Top Voices 2016: The 10 must-know writers in education
There are more than 160,000 stories being published on LinkedIn every week. So what writers stood out in 2016 — and who do you need to start reading now?
We've sifted through the data looking at a diverse set of factors, from engagement (particularly comments and shares) to follower growth, to find the top 10 voices in the education industry. These writers weighed in on some of the biggest stories this year, from the run-up to the presidential election to the fatal police shootings that have roiled cities across the country.
They've written about the political squeeze put on for-profit colleges, rising college costs and student debt, online learning, and how to improve education. They've also written on topics outside of education such as combating workplace boredom, entrepreneurship, and AI.
If you want to stay ahead, these are the folks to follow. Here are the top 10 education writers on LinkedIn in 2016:
Tom Davenport | Professor; Research Fellow, Babson College; MIT
What he writes about: This management and information technology professor writes about big data and analytics, from human vs machine decision making to the rise of social robots.
His favorite post: A look at how early adopters of IBM’s Watson are using the cognitive system. “I did a lot of research for it,” Davenport said.
Where he does his best writing: A crowded Starbucks over a Venti iced tea. “I always try to finish some piece of writing in the hour or so that I am there,” Davenport said.
Carlo Salerno | Vice President of Analytics, USA Funds
What he writes about: This policy expert takes the challenges that education policy makers face––college affordability, access, completion––and tries to break them down in a way larger audiences can understand.
Favorite post: A look at our antiquated federal student loan program and some out-of-the-box ideas for how to fix it.
How he measures success with his writing: “If I re-read what I've written several months later and it still makes sense, I feel like I'm on the right track,” Salerno said.
Andy Molinsky | Professor and Author, Brandeis University
What he writes about: This management professor writes about “personal and cultural comfort zones––why it’s hard to step outside of them, why we avoid doing it, and how we can be more successful.”
Most popular post: Some tips for professionals on reinventing the feedback sandwich, from the open-sandwich approach to the lots-of-bread, little-meat approach.
How he comes up with ideas: “I actually come up with my very best ideas while walking my dog,” Molinsky said. “Maybe I should list her as a co-author?”
Karen Gross | Educational Consultant; Senior Counsel, Widmeyer Communications
What she writes about: This educator, author and former senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Education writes about ways to improve student success, from pre-K through college.
Popular article: One of Gross’ most-popular pieces was an open letter she wrote offering advice for the next president on how to fix education. “To address the troubling and impactful achievement gap, start with this: the students of the 21st century do not look like the students of the past century in America,” she wrote.
Where she does her best writing: “Standing at the kitchen counter at 5 a.m. Really.”
Bill Boulding | Dean, Duke University's Fuqua School of Business
What he writes about: As dean of Duke University’s MBA program, Boulding writes about leadership trends and how business schools can adapt to increasingly complex and often-disrupted industries.
Article he’s most proud of: “Dear America, it's time to embrace our discomfort and get out of our bubbles,” which he says “forced me to acknowledge my own bubble and the responsibility I have to continually seek out opposing views.”
How he measures success: “Success to me is when anyone tells me they were inspired, challenged or stretched by a piece I’ve written, especially when they disagree with me and bring a fresh perspective,” said Boulding. One example of this is a post he wrote condemning North Carolina’s bathroom law, which led to a lawmaker reaching out to discuss his views.
Dennis Yang | CEO, Udemy
What he writes about: As the CEO of an online learning platform, Yang writes about career development, learning and leadership. He’s explained how to combat workplace boredom, analyzed Silicon Valley’s education efforts and the need for continual learning, and emphasized the importance of soft skills as robots and automation replace human jobs.
Article that got people talking: “Hey, grads: Your major is not your destiny,” which he published during graduation season. The post urges students to be lifelong learners who stay curious throughout their career.
Opportunities he’s landed in part from publishing: He’s become a regular columnist for publications such as Fortune and Inc., has been offered “some amazing speaking appearances” and he has a book deal in the works.
Paul Gordon Brown | Director of Curriculum, Training, and Research, Roompact
What he writes about: Drawing from his long career in academic advising and student affairs, Brown primarily writes about the impact of social media and digital technologies on students’ learning and engagement.
Most-popular piece: In the run-up to the presidential election, Brown wrote about Hillary Clinton’s tuition-free plan, noting that it may not be the proper fix, but that it “nevertheless returns to the ideal that higher education access should be available to all.”
Trend he’s watching in 2017: An increase in student activist movements. He adds, “social media will also play an increasing role in how students organize and communicate.”
Sally Blount | Dean, Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management
What she writes about: As the dean of Northwestern University’s business school, Blount writes about management and business, including the companies themselves and the behaviors within them.
Article she’s most proud of: “How the Wormhole Decade (2000-2010) Changed the World,” which explains how a single decade rewrote the rules on the economy, society and political hierarchy.
Where she goes to find inspiration: A monastery in the Sonoran desert each year. “There I live in a sparse, one-room cabin, in near total silence for 10 days,” said Blount. “It gives me time that I need to both reflect and reimagine. Much of my writing gets started there."
Kandi Brown | College Access Coordinator, Strive Prep-SMART
What she writes about: College and career readiness for students and graduates. In fact, her posts on these topics helped her land a job running the college access center for STRIVE Prep, a charter school in Denver.
Article she’s most proud of: “It's Equal Pay Day! (Salary Negotiation Tips for Women),” because “it brought a great deal of awareness to the issue of equal pay.”
Where she gets ideas? “I usually base my ideas on something I am currently working on at work or read about in another publication that I feel I can expand upon.”
Marybeth Gasman | Professor, University of Pennsylvania
What she writes about: This outspoken education professor writes about issues of race and class in America, in addition to prominent topics in higher education such as how the president should tackle student debt.
How she measures success: “I like my writing to foster conversation and deep thinking,” said Gasman, who describes the process of writing like drinking water. “I want to make meaningful change in terms of equity and social justice.”
Something you won’t find on her LinkedIn profile: She’s done professional stand-up comedy and uses humor in the classroom. “When you teach history, a little comedy engages students.”
Click here to follow Marybeth.
Associate Professor at Sheridan College
7 年Appreciate the terrific insights, collective wisdom and sharing
Education Professional at Matrix Human Services
7 年Congratulations to all and thank you for sharing your wisdom....However, it saddens my heart to see there were no men of color ....this leaves me with???
Spiritual Life Coach & Intentional Creativity? Artist & Teacher | Transforming the lives of soulful women through art and intention
7 年Congratulations, Marybeth Gasman!
Entrepreneur . Founder . Startup/Fractional CxO . Angel Investor . AI . Cloud . Blockchain . M&A . Strategic Initiatives
7 年Congrats to All top voices 2016 for making LinkedIn a perfect knowledge collaboration platform!
Mission driven entrepreneurs: Attract your audience like a MAGNET | Business Growth Strategist & Mentor | Author | Idea & People Connector | ??Global Citizen - ???????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?
7 年Congratulations to Andy Molinsky! We were already excited to have Andy on our Global Faculty and this only serves to confirm we were right! Bravo Andy!