Why Should Scholars Launch a Blog?
Alicia Cintron, PhD
I empower scholars to transform publications into meaningful public impact.
Remember Google+? What about Vine? The (impending) threat of TikTok shutting down in the U.S.? And there is the mass exodus from Twitter/X to Bluesky (follow me??)? The social media landscape is constantly shifting, forcing academics to regularly rebuild their online presence and reconnect with audiences on new platforms. And scholars are exhausted from juggling all these platforms and constantly having to learn new systems (Tracy & Jensen, 2025).
Despite the digital musical chairs we're playing, one medium has remained consistently valuable for scholars: the blog.
A blog offers you a digital home base, unlike the social media platforms that come and go, taking your content and audience with them. This is a space you control, where you own both your content and your direct connection to readers. While social platforms can help amplify your work, your blog can be the foundation of your online presence.
Academic blogs create unique opportunities for impact and engagement that both social media and traditional publishing can't match (Mewburn & Thomson, 2013). Blogs allow you to shape conversations in your field while building meaningful connections with readers who are interested in your work.
Here's are 5 reasons why you should consider starting a blog in 2025.??
Shape Academic Conversations More Dynamically
Rather than waiting months or years for journal publication, blogging allows you to:
Blogging doesn't mean rigor is lost! It enables scholars to rework and recontextualize their research for wider audiences and maintain high standards and credibility (Zou & Hyland, 2019).
Create Your Own Academic "Virtual Water Cooler"
Academic blogs serve as gathering spaces where scholars and interested people can "meet up" and engage in meaningful conversation. Blogs can help promote research dissemination, stimulate discussion, and help researchers feel more connected to their communities (Mewburn & Thomson, 2013).
You can use your blog to:
Build a Sustainable Professional Brand
Unlike the social media platforms that come and go, a blog can be:
Blogs can help scholars establish scholarly identities through the act of developing more public narratives and conversations related to their work (Mewburn & Thomson, 2013).
Side note: Mewburn & Thomson's also shared their research on academic blogs via The Guardian. An excellent example of research communication in practice. ?
Connect with Real People
Academic writing can feel like one is shouting into the void. Blogging helps you:
Blogs help scholars connect with readers in ways that traditional academic writing can't, making complex ideas more accessible and encouraging real dialogue (Shanahan, 2011).
Develop Clearer Communication Skills
Regular blogging improves your ability to:
And the best part is ... you don't need to post daily or even weekly! The world is your oyster! Quality matters more than quantity. Go with the flow, as inspiration (or current news) hits.
Examples of Blogs Written By Scholars
These are just a few example blogs written by scholars. (Feel free to share your favorites in the comments!)
Conclusion
While platforms like X and TikTok don't know their up from down these days, a blog gives you something permanent (and a space you control), where you can build lasting connections with readers who care about your work.
The best time to start is right now. You don't need a detailed posting schedule or complex content strategy. Start small, share what matters, and let your content and your platform grow organically.
?? What are some of your favorite blogs written by scholars?
Registered Nurse at Aya Healthcare
2 周Now THIS blog is quite inspiring and informative for the aspiring writers and experts of every industry. Thank you Alicia for giving this to the world. I may have a few questions as I build along the way FYI?????????????