By Sarah-Louise Weller and Noëlle Quénivet
On 15 October, a dynamic and thought-provoking workshop titled “Building a Research Identity” was hosted by Dr Sarah-Louise Weller, Director of Research and Enterprise (Business) and Professor Noëlle Quénivet, Director of Research and Enterprise (Law). The two-hour session brought together around 30 colleagues and postgraduate research students from across the College of Business and Law, keen to explore how to shape and strengthen their academic presence.
Understanding Research Identity
The session began by unpacking what a research identity is: its purpose, influence and evolution. Participants reflected on why having a clear research identity matters. A strong identity not only enhances academic impact but also supports collaboration and career progression.
Key elements of a research identity include:
- Academic Fingerprint: Your unique combination of skills, knowledge and experiences that distinguish you from others. It reflects your expertise, preferred methods and topics of interest.
- Public Narrative of Academic Journey: A compelling story that highlights your professional development, milestones and influences. This narrative helps communicate your growth and engages a wider audience.
- Focus, Values, Audience and Aspirations: These define what drives your research, the questions you aim to answer, the principles that guide your work, who it is for and where you want it to lead.
- Visibility and Credibility: A strong identity enhances recognition within the academic community and positions you as a credible, thought leader and expert in your field and among your peers.
- Attracting Collaborators, Mentors and Funders: Clearly articulating your research identity can draw attention from potential collaborators, mentors and funding bodies to build networks that share your unique vision.
- Career Direction and Impact: A defined research identity helps you set goals, stay aligned with your values and measure how your work contributes to your discipline and society.
Using Online Platforms to Showcase Research
The workshop then turned to practical ways of building an online research presence. Participants learned about different platforms and were directed to consider how to use them effectively.
A key distinction was made between essential platforms such as institutional profiles (e.g., on the UWE website) and global identifiers (e.g. ORCID) on the one hand and recommended platforms to support wider engagement such as Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, ResearchGate or SSRN on the other. Some are useful for discovering research and staying informed, while others for showcasing publications or engaging with peers.
Among the key tips that were shared were:
- Select your profile platforms wisely
- Keep them up to date, post regularly
- Connect and integrate your profiles
- Track citation metrics
- Publicise your profiles
Panel Discussion: Experiences and Tips
Professor James Green (Law), Dr Sarah-Louise Weller, and Professor Noëlle Quénivet shared their own experiences of managing online research profiles. They discussed the benefits and challenges of using Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, ResearchGate and SSRN.
Guest speakers Dr Tom Bowden-Green and Dr Jonathan Gilbert shared how they use LinkedIn, podcasts and newsletters to increase visibility and shape their research brands.
Their advice included:
- Be intentional about how you present your work.
- Embrace both positive and constructive feedback.
- Support and learn from your colleagues – research identity is built within a community, not in isolation.
Reflective Exercises: Defining Your Research Identity
Participants then took part in a practical reflection exercise designed to help them define their research identity in fewer than 21 words. They were asked to:
- Describe their research focus.
- Explain its significance.
- Identify what makes their approach unique.
While many found it challenging, the exercise encouraged clarity and focus, helping participants distil their academic interests into a concise statement. In a peer-sharing activity, colleagues looked up each other’s profiles on Google to spot differences in search results – revealing how others perceive their online presence. Many were surprised by the discrepancies between their self-view and public visibility, highlighting the importance of curating an accurate online identity.
Continuing the Conversation – join our next event…
The next training session, “Using Referencing Software”, will take place on 19 November, 13:00-14:00 in Room 3X109. All colleagues are welcome to attend, please contact Dr Sarah-Louise Weller for details.