Now that you’ve defined your purpose and audience, you’re ready to shape your page.
The goal of this module is simple: help you decide what content belongs on your one-page academic website—and just as importantly, what doesn’t.
Keep It Focused
When someone lands on your website, they scan. They don’t read every word.
So your content should be a focused, easy-to-read snapshot of who you are and what you do.
Your visitors should find the essentials quickly—without scrolling through a wall of text.
Core Sections to Include
Below are the five core sections most one-page academic websites need. Each one is short and purposeful. You’ll write these in upcoming modules. Right now, you’re just choosing what to include.
1. Name + Short Bio
A 2–3 sentence introduction that says who you are, what you do, and where you do it.
2. Research Interests
A short paragraph or bullet points describing the focus of your work. Keep it clear, even to people outside your subfield.
3. Selected Publications or Projects
A small, curated list of 3–5 key items. Add short context where helpful.
4. Teaching or Supervision (if relevant)
Include if it’s important to your audience or career stage. Think brief summaries, not full syllabi.
5. Contact Info + External Links
How people can reach you and where else to find your work (Google Scholar, ORCID, LinkedIn, etc.)
Optional Sections
Depending on your goals and audience, you might want to include one or two of the following:
- Awards or Fellowships (brief highlights)
- Media mentions or public talks
- Outreach or community work
- Current projects or collaborations
Just remember: don’t add more unless it supports your goal.
What to Leave Out
To keep your site clean and skimmable, leave out:
- Full publication lists (link to a CV or profile instead)
- Dense academic jargon
- Detailed teaching materials
- More than one headshot or photo
- Unfiltered CV content (no bullet dumps!)
Your Module 2 Mini-Assignment
You’re going to create a content plan: a simple list of sections you’ll include, along with short notes on what will go in each one.
Use the template below (feel free to copy into a doc or notebook):
✍️ My One-Page Content Plan Template
| Section | Will I include it? | Notes (1–2 bullets about what to cover) |
|---|---|---|
| Short Bio / Introduction | Yes / No | e.g., Name, position, research area |
| Research Interests | Yes / No | e.g., Climate policy, quantitative methods |
| Selected Publications/Projects | Yes / No | e.g., 3 main papers with short descriptions |
| Teaching / Supervision | Yes / No | e.g., Courses taught, mentoring grad students |
| Contact + Links | Yes / No | e.g., Email, Google Scholar, ORCID |
| Optional Section: ________ | Yes / No | e.g., Media features, podcast interviews |
Done? You’re Ready to Write
Great! With your content plan in place, you’ll know exactly what to write—and what to skip—in the next modules.
