Why this course?

Blogging is a great way to share your research amongst peers and engage in the public debate. A blog helps to establish your name as a researcher, opens new career opportunities, functions as a place to practise your communication skills, and may even help you secure a grant. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Align your blog with your career goals
• Formulate your niche in the blogosphere
• Think up good topics for your blog
• Structure and write a blog post
• Choose a blogging platform 
• Boost your blog’s visibility

This course is a starting point for blogging as a researcher. By the end you will have created your first blog post. Are you looking for a broader introduction into outreach via traditional and social media? Take a look at Academic Outreach. 

Format

This is course alternates theory and practise. It consists of two group sessions, an individual feedback session in which the trainer offers personal feedback and advice and homework assignments. You will improve your writing and scientific story-telling skills while working on your own first blog post. The following topics will be addressed: 

• Developing a blogging strategy
• What to blog about (and what not to blog about)
• Writing techniques
• Publication on WordPress 
• Distribution of your blog post