A big shoutout to my fellow PhD students! 👏🏽
I’ve had a number of you asking me “Ifza, how did you get started and what do you post about?” This ones for you ✌🏼😎
Have you ever considered starting an academic blog to document your research journey and share your thoughts on various topics? Blogging can be an excellent way to engage with the academic community, foster connections, and promote your work. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating your own academic blog, using my blog – Doctoring a Career – as an example. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Choose your focus
First things first, you need to decide what your blog will be about. While it’s natural to focus on your PhD research, consider incorporating additional topics that align with your interests and expertise. For example, my blog covers my PhD journey, EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) work, and social justice issues.
Step 2: Pick a platform and set up your blog
Once you’ve nailed down your focus, it’s time to choose a blogging platform. WordPress, Blogger, and Medium are popular choices that offer user-friendly interfaces and customisable templates. I used WordPress for my blog, and you can check it out here: https://doctoringacareer.wordpress.com/blog/
Step 3: Create engaging content
To keep your readers hooked, you’ll need to generate captivating content. Here are some ideas inspired by my blog and ideas in the pipeline:
- Research updates: Share your progress, challenges, and findings.
- Conference experiences: Discuss insights and takeaways from academic events.
- Guest posts: Invite other PhD students or academics to contribute.
- Book reviews: Offer your thoughts on relevant literature.
- Policy analysis: Analyse and critique EDI and social justice policies.
- Personal reflections: Share your experiences navigating academia.
- Teaching and mentorship: Talk about promoting EDI and social justice in teaching roles.
- Career development: Discuss career opportunities and challenges for academics focusing on EDI and social justice issues.
- Interviews and profiles: Spotlight other academics or activists working in the EDI and social justice space.
- Resources and tools: Share resources that can support EDI and social justice work.
Step 4: Adopt a consistent writing style
Your writing style should be approachable and engaging, while still maintaining a sense of professionalism. Aim for a mix of informal and formal language, like what you’re reading right now! This style helps make your content relatable and accessible to your doctoral/ non-doctoral peers. For me, I like to use gifs to break up the text and make it more accessible to a wider audience.
Step 5: Promote your blog
Don’t be shy about sharing your blog posts on social media, in online forums, and among your academic network. The more you promote your work, the higher your chances of connecting with like-minded individuals and fostering valuable relationships.
Step 6: Engage with your audience
Encourage readers to leave comments, ask questions, and share their thoughts. Respond to their feedback and be open to constructive criticism. Engaging with your audience helps create a sense of community and can lead to exciting opportunities for collaboration.
Step 7: Stay consistent
Consistency is key to maintaining a successful blog. Set a schedule for yourself, whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and stick to it. This not only keeps your readers engaged but also helps establish your presence in the academic community.
Be consistent like me, and consistently take breaks away from your blog! 💁🏽
Starting an academic blog as a PhD student can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Use this guide as a starting point, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.
Doctoring a Career 