Now that you’ve planned what to include on your one-page academic website, it’s time to start writing.
In this module, you’ll focus on the first two sections that most visitors will see:
- A short professional bio
- A clear, concise research overview
These sections give your site its voice and help your audience immediately understand who you are and what you do.
Part 1: Write Your Short Bio
Your bio is the first thing the visitors will see on your website.
Your goal is to write 2–3 sentences that tell visitors:
- Who you are
- What you work on
- Where you are based
Think of this as your “hello” for the web. This is not your full story—it’s a quick snapshot.
Good bios are:
- Concise: Around 40–60 words
- Jargon-free: Accessible beyond your subfield
- Relevant: Focus on your academic identity
Short Bios Examples
“I’m a historian of early modern Europe and a PhD candidate at the University of Oxford. My research explores how everyday people navigated legal institutions in 17th-century France.”
“I’m an assistant professor of ecology at the University of Vermont. My lab studies forest biodiversity and climate resilience through long-term field experiments and spatial modeling.”
Exercise: Write Your Bio
Use this prompt to get started:
“I am a [position] at [institution], and I work on [topic/area]. My research focuses on [brief summary of interest or approach].”
Then revise it so it flows naturally. Aim for two or three full sentences max.
Part 2: Write Your Research Overview
Your goal is to give a short, approachable summary of your research focus. Ensure that its clear enough for your audience to understand what you study and why it matters.
This is especially useful if you’re:
- On the job market
- Seeking collaborators
- Hoping to communicate your work beyond your department
A good research overview is:
- 100–150 words
- Structured logically: Start with the big picture, then zoom in
- Free of unnecessary jargon
- Tailored to your audience (remember Module 1)
Suggested Structure:
- Opening sentence: Your general area or question
- Main focus: What specifically you study or analyze
- Why it matters: Broader impact, real-world connection, or theoretical contribution
Research Overview Examples
“My research focuses on how people interact with algorithmic systems in everyday settings. I explore how users experience personalization and bias in platforms like search engines, streaming services, and recommendation apps. More broadly, I’m interested in the ethics of automation and the politics of digital design.”
“I study the effects of urban heat on public health in low-income neighborhoods. My work combines spatial data analysis and community-based research to understand where and why health disparities emerge. This research aims to inform local climate resilience policies and equitable planning strategies.”
Exercise: Write Your Research Overview
Try answering these three questions in form of a paragraph:
- What is the big question or topic you focus on?
- What methods, approaches, or perspectives do you bring?
- Why does this work matter (to your field, to society, to your audience)?
Quick Refinement Checklist
After writing both sections, ask yourself:
- Does this reflect how I want to be seen by my audience?
- Could someone outside my department understand it?
- Is it free of fluff, buzzwords, and overly technical language?
- Can I read it aloud in under a minute?
Your Module 3 Mini-Assignment
By the end of this module, you should have:
- A 2–3 sentence professional bio
- A 100–150 word research overview
Type these into your draft document under their respective sections. These will be added at the top of your website.
Ready to Keep Going?
Great work. You’ve now written the core identity content of your site. Up next, we’ll highlight your key projects or publications in a simple, effective way.
