If you’ve been noticing more and more academics launching their own personal websites, you’re not alone.
What used to be rare is quickly becoming common. But is this just a passing trend? Or is it something that scholars now need to take seriously?
Let’s explore how academic websites became popular, why they matter, and whether they are now essential.
A Look Back: What Was the Norm?
Ten or fifteen years ago, most academics did not have personal websites.
University departments handled online visibility, and that was usually enough. A simple profile page with your title and a list of publications was considered standard.
Back then, maintaining a website often required technical knowledge or expensive help. It just wasn’t something most researchers had time or tools for.
What Changed?
Several things have shifted in recent years:
- More scholars are working across institutions and roles
- Online visibility has become important for hiring and funding
- Tools for building websites are now easier and more affordable
- Public scholarship and science communication have grown
- Social media has raised the value of having a central, linkable home
These changes have made it more important than ever to have an online space that reflects your work and interests. A personal website gives you that space.
Why Are So Many People Doing It Now?
In the past, personal sites were mostly for tech-savvy researchers or those in digital fields. Now they are showing up across every discipline.
You might see an archaeologist sharing field notes, a historian uploading public lectures, or a biologist offering lab updates. These sites are not just for showing off CVs. They are becoming part of how scholars build identity, connect with peers, and reach broader audiences.
There is also a practical side. A website can:
- Make you easier to find
- Help you stand out on job or grant committees
- Provide context for your work that a university page cannot
- Stay with you even if you change institutions
So, Is It Really a Necessity?
Not everyone needs a personal website.
Some academics get by just fine without one, especially if their university profile is up-to-date and they are not trying to build an external presence.
But for other scholars, a personal site is becoming more than just a nice extra.
It can be a quiet form of self-advocacy, a way to take ownership of your story, and a tool for building relationships both inside and outside academia.
If you are applying for jobs, trying to attract collaborators, or sharing work beyond journals and conferences, a website is a simple way to make that easier.
It’s Not About Flashy Design
You don’t need a fancy layout or complex features.
Many excellent academic websites are simple, clean, and focused. The goal is not to impress with graphics. The goal is to make your work easier to understand and more accessible to others.
Some people start with one page. Others grow their site over time. You can add as you go.
