The document examines networking for academic researchers. It reviews recent research on networking and explores how researchers use their social connections to get career advice and opportunities. It identifies different types of networks and looks at barriers to networking for different groups. The document also provides tips and strategies for successful networking, including developing an online presence and maintaining relationships through social media and messaging.

4. I. To examine what networking means in an academic and research context
II. To review recent research on networking for researchers
III. To look at various methods for successful networking, including
developing your online presence

6. A survey and interviews, with
both researchers and
researcher developers, were
used to explore how researchers
use their social capital to elicit
careers advice, who they ask,
how they rate their networking
skills and their career aspirations,
attitudes and constraints.

7. 1. Where you know a lot of people who tend not to know each other
2. Where your network is widely dispersed over several sectors
3. Includes the powerful and influential

8. Fixed term Women
researchers tend 40+ age group
had least recognised need
to engage in for networking
more objections to
networking more than men,
networking but lacked self-
behaviour confidence
Physical science
researchers
network the White British
least respondents
tend to be least
active, with non-
Researchers aim white British the
to be lecturers most active
do more
networking than
those aiming
only for research

9. Can you identify ‘constellations of developmental relationships‘?
Higgins and Thomas (2004)
Researchers
PIs research group/lab leaders
Your network might include: Careers officers
Journal editors/reviewers
Prominent researchers in your field
Evidence is that researchers do not usually consult with HR specialists, careers advisers or staff
developers
RATHER
that friends and family were most frequently consulted when finding and applying for jobs and
clarifying career goals, followed by supervisor/PI.

10. 1. Say your first name, university department and area of expertise
2. Say where in your discipline you focus your efforts
3. Give a simple case study : indicating method/ theoretical
approach
4. Say what you are looking for : help/contacts/ job.
5. Finish with a question about the person you are speaking to.

12. Your
Fingerprint

13. Your
Fingerprint

15. I recently attended a conference and was added on Facebook by two of the attendees.
This means that, despite living at opposite ends of the country, we are able to keep in
touch and share news of the developments in our research. I found this particularly
useful with a recent research funding bid, as one of them had made a similar
application and was able to give me some tips about the application process.

16. It's not networking: it's going to a meeting with some friends from the
internet....It's absolutely brilliant to be able to go to a conference
knowing that you know at least one, if not more, people who are going
already, even if you've never met them.

18. My blog has been very useful for documenting and inviting
comment on my work.

19. The following results
are based on
responses from 11
participants in our
presentation.

20. At conferences/seminars do you talk to people
you don’t know/or know only slightly?
45%
36%
18%
0%
t le
l
t
ll
ea
lo
ta
lit
td
a
a
it e
A
ly
ea
e
Qu
gr
rc
a
A
Sc

21. Do you take on work or tasks which will get
you better known across the university?
45%
27% 27%
0%
t le
l
t
...
ea
lo
ta
lit
td
a
ya
it e
A
ea
el
Qu
gr
c
ar
A
Sc

22. Ask people for advice and help about
your career?
45%
18% 18% 18%
t le
l
t
...
ea
lo
ta
lit
td
a
ya
it e
A
ea
el
Qu
gr
c
ar
A
Sc

23. Ask people for feedback about their
perceptions of you and your work?
40%
30%
20%
10%
t le
l
t
ll
ea
lo
ta
lit
td
a
ya
it e
A
ea
el
Qu
gr
c
ar
A
Sc

24. At conferences or seminars get yourself noticed
by important people in your field?
45%
27%
18%
9%
t le
l
t
..
ea
lo
a.
lit
td
a
at
te
A
ea
y
ui
el
gr
Q
c
ar
A
Sc

25. Ask someone you know you introduce you to
important people in your field?
44%
22% 22%
11%
t le
l
t
ll
ea
lo
ta
lit
td
a
ya
it e
A
ea
el
Qu
gr
c
ar
A
Sc

26. Do you use electronic social networking, messaging etc.
to maintain relationships with colleagues?
40%
30%
20%
10%
t le
l
t
ll
ea
lo
ta
lit
td
a
ya
it e
A
ea
el
Qu
gr
c
ar
A
Sc

28. Thank you to the following for allowing us to
use your images:
Tom Oliver Dbbent
Thomas Hawks Telstar Logistics
Corelin Kevin Dooley
Oaphoto