Creating a personal academic website doesn’t have to be complicated.
The good news: there’s no single right way to build an academic website. But there are some common, useful elements that most scholars include.
Here’s a practical, no-jargon checklist to help you get started.
1. Professional Bio
Start with a short biography. One to two paragraphs is plenty.
Include:
- Your name and current position
- Department and institution
- Research focus (keep it understandable outside your subfield)
- Optionally, mention teaching, service, or recent projects
Keep it human. This isn’t a grant application. It’s how people first understand who you are.
2. CV or Resume
A downloadable PDF version of your curriculum vitae is standard. Some also embed an online version for easier browsing.
Tip: Make sure your filename is clear (e.g., Smith_Academic_CV.pdf) and update it as your career progresses.
3. Publications
This is one of the most-visited part of academic websites. A simple, chronological list is fine. Include:
- Full citations
- Links to open-access versions or DOI pages (if available)
- Optional: short descriptions or tags for select works
Some scholars organize publications by type: articles, book chapters, books, etc.
4. Teaching
You don’t need to post every syllabus. A brief overview of your teaching interests and a list of recent or favorite courses is often enough.
You might also include:
- Course descriptions
- Sample syllabi or assignments
- Teaching philosophy (optional, especially useful for job-seekers)
5. Research
This can be a short section summarizing your research areas, questions, or current projects.
You might break it into:
- A paragraph on overarching research themes
- Sub-sections for specific projects, labs, or grants
- Optional: project timelines, collaborators, or outcomes
Write for both your academic peers and those just outside your field.
6. Contact Information
At minimum:
- Email address (consider using a contact form to reduce spam)
- Institution address or affiliation
- Optionally, links to academic profiles (e.g., ORCID, Google Scholar, LinkedIn)
Make it easy for colleagues, students, and journalists to reach you.
7. Optional, But Useful Extras
These aren’t required,but they can help communicate more about your work and personality:
- Blog or short writing updates
- Media mentions or public talks
- Awards or honors
- Datasets, code, or open materials
- Service roles (editorial boards, committees, organizing)
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to build everything at once. Start with a simple site: your name, a short bio, a CV, and contact info. From there, expand as your time and needs allow.
The most important thing? Make it findable, current, and useful to the people who might be searching for you: students, collaborators, committees, or journalists.
