Enhancing Visibility in Scientific Communities

In academia, we often publish groundbreaking research that remains confined to journals—what if a few extra steps could amplify its impact and visibility? It's very common to generate valuable datasets, maps, and models, publishing our findings in peer-reviewed journals. However, these contributions often remain within the academic community. By taking additional steps—such as creating interactive visualizations and sharing them publicly—we can significantly increase the reach and impact of our research. This realization led me to develop two interactive tools based on the study "Integrated Socio-environmental Vulnerability Assessment of Coastal Hazards Using Data-driven and Multi-criteria Analysis Approaches" by a colleague of mine Ahad Hasan Tanim, published in Nature, Scientific Reports. Coastal Vulnerability Index StoryMap: https://lnkd.in/dTCrmgrq An interactive narrative that visualizes the study's findings, allowing users to explore various vulnerability categories across the region. Coastal Vulnerability Dashboard: https://lnkd.in/dJ7p24zA A dynamic dashboard that provides in-depth analysis and visualization of the coastal vulnerability data, facilitating informed decision-making. These projects were initially a way for me to apply and reinforce the skills I acquired from an ESRI course earlier this year. However, they also serve a deeper purpose: to enhance the visibility and impact of our academic work. Research indicates that sharing data and visualizations can lead to higher citation rates and broader dissemination of findings. Moreover, open access to research outputs fosters greater transparency and collaboration, accelerating scientific progress. I hope these tools inspire fellow researchers to consider how we can make our work more accessible and impactful. A few extra steps can transform our research from a published paper into a resource that benefits a wider audience. #CoastalResilience #OpenScience #DataVisualization #GIS #AcademicImpact #ClimateChange #PublicEngagement #visualization #dataViz #GISvisualization #vulnerabilityMap #coastalVulnerability #interactiveMap #ModernGIS

Ph.D. scholars and researchers, are you ready to show how your research makes a real-world difference? Aligning your research with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is one of the most potent ways to enhance its relevance, visibility, and funding potential. Let's explore the framework to align your research with the SDGs: 1. Identify relevant SDGs: Understand which SDGs relate to your research domain. - Review all 17 SDGs with their sub-goals and indicators. - Consider both immediate connections and interdisciplinary overlaps. - Consider how your research affects people, policy, environment, or technology. Example: A study on biodegradable packaging links to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). 2. Map your research objectives to SDG targets: Connect with the specific subtargets under each SDG. - Match your research aims with measurable SDG indicators. - Align your methodology or outcomes with these indicators. - Use official SDG metadata to strengthen the relevance of your objectives. Example: Research on drought-tolerant rice aligns with SDG 2, Target 2.4 (sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices). 3. Address local and global relevance: Ask how your research contributes at the community and global scales. - Identify a local problem that reflects a broader global challenge. - Show how your work addresses policy gaps, public needs, or climate risks. - Tailor your research impact section to highlight both scopes. Example: A study on clean cooking stoves helps reduce indoor air pollution locally (SDG 3) and contributes to cleaner energy access globally (SDG 7). 4. Use SDG keywords in your literature review: Use SDG-aligned terminology to enhance the visibility and structure of your literature search. - Use combinations like "SDG + keyword" in Google Scholar or Scopus. - Narrow your search results by including goal-specific phrases like "sustainable urban mobility." - Explore cross-disciplinary works that address the same SDG from different angles. Example: For urban transport, use keywords like "sustainable cities," "SDG 11," or "smart mobility solutions." 5. Showcase SDG alignment: Explain how your research supports SDGs in proposals and publications. - Mention relevant SDGs and targets in your abstract, introduction, and conclusion. - Include a visual or citation to the specific SDG in your proposal. - Highlight this alignment in your dissemination and outreach plans. Example: A grant proposal on AI-based disease diagnosis should state its contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Target 3.8 (universal health coverage). Bonus takeaway: Collaborate with scholars from other fields. Addressing one of the interconnected SDGs often requires insights from various disciplines. Which SDG do you currently support, and how are you showcasing it? Share your thoughts and experiences below. 💭 #ResearchMadeEasy #PhDResearch #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #SDG #Impact

🔬Lab to LinkedIn Can you bridge the identity gap from scientist to entrepreneur without losing your integrity? One of the biggest challenges I see among scientist-founders is communicating the value of complex science. Scientists are trained to speak through data and precision, not storytelling. So translating a discovery into a compelling pitch or a clear message often feels uncomfortable, even disingenuous. I’ve met brilliant biotech and life sciences founders developing breakthrough therapies or technologies. They’re happy to present to peers, but hesitant to share their vision in front of investors or on LinkedIn. Not because they lack conviction, but because they’re wired to let the data speak for itself. But in the business world, data without narrative gets lost. Investors and partners don’t just want the science, they want the story, the market, and the human drive behind it. So how do you bridge the shift from scientist to entrepreneur, without losing your authenticity? Here are 5 ways to help scientist-founders make the transition while staying true to their values: 1️⃣ Reframe "personal branding" as scientific leadership It’s less about self-promotion and more about making the science accessible and building trust. People invest in people and science they understand. 2️⃣ Use LinkedIn as a credibility platform This space lets you spotlight your research, your vision, and your progress in a professional and friendly and supportive environment. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just real. 3️⃣ Translate, don’t dilute You shouldn’t oversimplify your science. But learning to explain why it matters to patients, doctors, and investors is a skill not a compromise. 4️⃣ Start with the "puzzle" but don’t forget the prize You’re motivated by solving problems. But the business world needs to see the potential reward: the impact, the scalability, the value. 5️⃣ Build visibility through thoughtfulness, not theatrics Share your process, your milestones, even your challenges. Authenticity builds connection which opens doors. The bridge from academia to entrepreneurship doesn’t mean you should become someone you’re not. You’re still driven by evidence and impact but now it’s about making that impact visible, accessible, and investable. Does this resonate with you? ----------------- 👋 I'm Chris 🔑 I help leaders in life sciences build their visibility and positioning for investment and better business 📲 Tired of the same old visibility advice? Check out my featured section for help or DM me for a conversation about a different approach

Science Communication: Turning Your Scientific Knowledge Into a Voice That Matters When I began my journey in science, I thought the only place my degree would shine was in a lab. But over time, I discovered another rewarding path Science Communication & Content Creation and it is a lane where scientists like you and me can thrive! I started by simply sharing what I knew simplifying microbiology terms, breaking down lab experiences, and guiding fresh graduates on career transitions on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Now? It is more than a hobby it is a career booster. How Can You Get Into Science Communication? You do not need a second degree. You need: 1. Curiosity ✔️ 2. Clear writing or speaking ✔️ 3. A desire to make science relatable ✔️ Here is how to build the skill: Learn the basics: Take free or low-cost courses on Coursera, ALX, FutureLearn, or EdX (topics like science writing, digital storytelling, video editing, Canva design, etc.) Follow experienced science communicators on LinkedIn or YouTube for inspiration Start practicing: ✅Write LinkedIn posts simplifying scientific concepts ✅Create short videos with tools like CapCut or Canva ✅Host Instagram/Facebook Live science talks ✅Build a portfolio and your posts, videos, and articles count ✅Join communities Volunteer to write or speak for student groups, NGOs, or science events Where Can This Lead? Science communication is not just about personal branding, it is a gateway to real jobs: 💼 Roles to explore include 1. Science Writer / Blogger 2. Health or Medical Content Creator 3. Digital Science Educator 4. Social Media Manager (for science orgs) 5. Public Engagement Officer 6. Science Illustrator or Infographic Designer 7. Communications Assistant (NGOs, research centers, EdTech) You can work with: Research institutes Health NGOs EdTech companies Science publishers Your own personal brand or YouTube channel What I have learned: Your degree is powerful, but so is your ability to communicate it well. You do not have to wait for a lab job to show your skill. You can create visibility, influence, and opportunity right where you are. Science is not only for journals. Sometimes, it belongs on a reel, a post, or a story. Let your voice speak beyond the pipette. 🌍 #ScienceCommunication #ScienceContentCreator #LifeAfterGraduation #Microbiology #FreshGraduateTips #DigitalSkills #LinkedInScience #PublicEngagement #ScientistsWhoWrite

🌟 We had the pleasure of welcoming Danika Houghton from LinkedIn to National Acoustic Laboratories this week for an inspiring session on how to amplify our research impact through the LinkedIn platform. Danika shared practical strategies for showcasing our work, building thought leadership, and connecting with global audiences. Here are my top 5 takeaways from the session: 🔹 Be intentional with your profile Your headline and summary should reflect your current research focus and aspirations, not just your job title. 🔹 Share your work in digestible formats Break down complex research into engaging posts, short videos, or carousels that spark curiosity and conversation. 🔹 Engage with your community Commenting, reposting, and tagging collaborators helps build visibility and fosters meaningful dialogue. 🔹 Use LinkedIn as a living portfolio Regularly update your profile with publications, presentations, and milestones to keep your network informed. 🔹 Authenticity wins Don’t be afraid to show the human side of your research journey - challenges, breakthroughs, and even the occasional blooper. Big thanks to Danika for helping us rethink how we share knowledge and connect beyond the academic bubble. Let’s keep the momentum going and make our research more discoverable, relatable, and impactful. With Xiaoyin Shang Paola Incerti Catherine Kwok Justin Zakis David (Qingqing) Meng Angela Wong & Srishti Panwar #LinkedInLearning #ResearchImpact #ScienceCommunication #ProfessionalBranding

In 2025, your network is your impact. Visibility isn’t vanity, it is leverage. Yesterday someone asked me: “#NaMtafitiSheilaMsangi, how do those 5,000+ followers help you as a researcher? Yet you are not selling a product.” Fair question. This is my short answer: I may not be “selling” a physical product but I am building visibility, trust and influence. And in research, that is gold. This is what those 5,000+ connections actually mean for a researcher: 1. Visibility & Influence – My ideas, findings, and reflections reach beyond journals; to policymakers, funders, practitioners, students, and fellow researchers. 2. Collaboration Opportunities – Many grants, partnerships, and joint projects begin with simple visibility. People can’t collaborate with you if they don’t know you exist. 3. Knowledge Translation – Research shouldn’t live and die in publications. A strong online presence helps translate science into insights that real people understand and use. 4. Thought Leadership – You don’t need a product to be valuable. Sometimes, your thinking is the value. 5. Opportunities Find You – Speaking invitations, fellowships, consultancies, and funding often follow visibility and trust. So, no you may not see a “product.......and and....” But what you do see is influence that converts into impact, collaboration, and credibility; the true currency of research today. 𝐏.𝐒. I’m Sheila – translating stories into systems change through research in public health, food systems and environmental sustainability. Let’s talk methods, ethics, and real-world impact. #NaMtafitiSheilaMsangi #ResearchImpact #VisibilityMatters #ScienceCommunication #KnowledgeTranslation 

✍️Dear PhD Scholar: In today’s digitally-driven academic world: ✅ How do you find co-authors across the globe❓ ✅ Where can you share your research, datasets, and ideas easily❓ ✅ What’s the smartest way to stay updated with the latest findings in your field❓ The answer lies in using the Top 5 Academic Networking & Collaboration Tools—platforms trusted by researchers worldwide to enhance visibility, build partnerships, and accelerate their impact. 🔍 Ready to explore the best platforms powering global research connections❓ 📌1. ResearchGate researchgate.net Often called the “LinkedIn for scientists,” ResearchGate connects over 20 million researchers worldwide. You can upload publications, track citations, ask questions, and find collaborators in virtually every discipline. Best for: Sharing publications, asking field-specific questions, and finding experts. 📌2. Academia.edu academia.edu With a focus on discoverability, Academia.edu helps researchers publish and access papers quickly. It also provides analytics to show who’s reading your work and from where. Best for: Visibility and reach of your academic work, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. 📌3. ORCID orcid.org ORCID provides a unique digital identifier for researchers, ensuring you get proper credit for your work across publishers, funders, and institutions. It’s essential for managing your academic identity. Best for: Maintaining a verified academic profile and linking your research outputs automatically. 📌4. Mendeley mendeley.com Mendeley is both a reference manager and an academic social network. You can organize research papers, collaborate in private groups, and discover new research in your area. Best for: Collaborative research groups, reference management, and literature discovery. 📌5. Zotero zotero.org An open-source tool with strong community support, Zotero is great for collecting, organizing, citing, and sharing research materials. It supports collaborative libraries and integrates well with word processors. Best for: Team-based citation management and open-source collaboration. #Tips: Use these tools together for maximum impact (e.g., sync ORCID with your publication records). Regularly update your profiles with new papers, projects, and collaborations. Join discipline-specific groups or threads to expand your academic network! 🔍 Which tool has helped you the most in your research journey ❓ Share in the comments below👇 😊Happy Researching & Best of Luck, Future Research Scholars! 👍 📚Need help with writing, editing, or submitting your research article? 📩 DM me for personalized 1:1 support — from drafting to journal submission! #AcademicLife #ResearchTools #AI #Collaboration #Researcher #GenAI #PhDLife #AcademicNetworking #OpenScience #Mendeley #ORCID #Zotero #Researchgate #Academia

Your science is public – but the article about it is behind a paywall? Let’s talk about a quiet frustration in academic outreach. I teach about this in many workshops and want to share some details here. So, let's say you’ve done the hard work: Published a study Talked to a journalist Shared your insights in a compelling way And then... the article appears in a major outlet – but only subscribers can read it. It’s a common issue: the public pays for your research, you make time to communicate it, and still, most people can’t access it. Here’s the good news: There are ways to increase visibility – even when media outlets use paywalls. My advice is this...you can... 1) Ask the journalist if there’s a way to make the piece accessible temporarily (some outlets allow “gift links”) 2) Create a companion post or blog that shares the core message in your own words 3) Share links to open interviews, podcasts, or press releases alongside the paywalled article 4) Collaborate with media that offer open formats (public broadcasters, foundations, or platforms like The Conversation) Outreach isn’t just about giving interviews – it’s also about making sure people can find and understand your message. So next time you’re quoted in a major piece, think about how you’ll amplify it beyond the paywall. Let’s make science visible. #AcademicOutreach #ScienceCommunication #OpenAccess #ResearchersOnLinkedIn

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲? 💡 Universities and research organizations often focus their communication efforts on central channels—but here’s the thing: audiences connect with people, not logos. To truly maximize visibility and impact, we need to empower researchers to become visible themselves. Why? Because their authentic voices make science relatable, engaging, and inspiring. Here’s how universities and research organizations can level up their science communication game: 1️⃣ Tailored Training Not everyone starts at the same place. Assess needs and offer tailored training: For beginners: Setting up accounts and understanding the basics of platforms like LinkedIn, Bluesky, or even TikTok. For the experienced: Advanced techniques like crafting compelling hooks, structuring posts, or building strategic engagement plans. 2️⃣ Technical Support & Strategy Many researchers have amazing ideas but lack the time or skills to execute them. Offer support for: Scripting, recording, and editing videos or podcasts. Being a strategy buddy when they’re planning communication for new grants or projects. 3️⃣ Foster Safe Exchange Spaces Create spaces where researchers can connect, share, and support one another. Discuss challenges like hate speech or negative comments. Share strategies for dealing with online negativity and learning from others’ experiences. Empowering individual researchers not only amplifies the reach of your institution but also builds a culture of trust, engagement, and innovation in science communication. 🚀 🌟 What is your organization already doing to empower researchers, or what do you wish could be done? Let’s share ideas and inspire change! Drop your thoughts in the comments. 👇

If you’ve ever felt like shouting “JUST READ MY PAPER!”...  This is for you. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: If you don’t communicate your research clearly, consistently, and strategically, most people will never hear about it. Not funders. Not policymakers. Not journalists. Not even your peers. Yes, those who study the same things and never invite you as a coauthor. But when scientists hear “go viral” or “personal brand,” they picture loud, self-promotional nonsense that feels icky. That’s not what this is. This is about being visible for the right reasons and making your work easier to fund, share, and scale. Here are 10 ways to do just that (without sounding like a sales pitch): 1. Tell the story behind the data: what inspired the question? 2. Show the real-world impact: why does it matter, and to whom? 3. Use simple metaphors to explain complex findings. 4. Talk about the process: the failures, surprises, pivots. 5. Share quotes from collaborators or community members. 6. Repurpose talks or papers into short LinkedIn posts. 7. Make one powerful visual that captures your key point. 8. Answer the question: “So what?” in plain language. 9. Engage with others in your space, don’t just broadcast. 10. Build a narrative thread that connects your work to your purpose. This isn’t fluff. It’s a strategy. And it works not just for algorithms, but for funders, reporters, and decision-makers who need clarity more than data. – Want your research to spark action, not just citations? ✅ Follow for more science & purpose reflections 📬 Subscribe to Outreach Lab (link under my name) ☕ Book a free clarity call; I'd love to hear your story. Bridge your Science with the World. It’s Ready to Listen.