A clear research identity helps scholars communicate the value, purpose, and impact of their work more effectively. Whether applying for grants, building professional networks, preparing promotion materials, or pursuing new opportunities, a strong research brand can help faculty articulate who they are as scholars and how their work contributes to their field.
Building Your Research Brand: A Guide for Academics is an Academic Impressions course designed to help researchers create clarity around their scholarly identity and develop strategies for communicating their work more intentionally. Through guided reflection and practical exercises, participants explore how to define their research mission, strengths, values, and long-term professional direction.
Participants explore topics including:
- Understanding what a research brand is and how it supports academic career growth
- Clarifying scholarly identity, research themes, strengths, and long-term goals
- Developing language and narratives to communicate scholarly impact more effectively
- Writing a research brand statement for use in promotion materials, job applications, networking, research statements, and websites
- Making career and research decisions aligned with personal mission, strengths, and future goals
- Building strategies for communicating research to the right audiences and strengthening professional visibility
The course includes short video lessons, guided activities, and a workbook to help participants create stories, language, and practical next steps for shaping and communicating their scholarly identity over time.
This resource is especially valuable for faculty researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and academic professionals seeking greater clarity around career direction, research identity, and professional advancement.
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