Networking. An Extroverts dream, an introvert’s nightmare. But love or hate it, networking is the secret sauce to making things happen in academia. Whether you’re looking for collaborations, internship opportunities, or just someone who can relate to the struggles of PhD life, networking is truly worth it! Here are some networking tips about how and where to network in academia. If you’re convinced that networking in academia is pointless, check out this blog post here!

1. Conferences: Where Science Meets Awkward Small Talk
2. Mastering the Academic Elevator Pitch
3. The Follow-up: Because One Conversation is Never Enough
4. Social media: Academia, But Make it Digital
5. Professors & Peers: Your Built-in Network
6. Online Communities: The Introvert’s Best Friend
7. Overcoming Networking Anxiety (Without Faking an Emergency Exit

1) Conferences: Where Science Meets Awkward Small Talk

Conferences are the ultimate networking playground, if you can survive the inevitable ‘So, what do you work on?’ conversations. Many conferences focus on one particular research field; therefore, you will be surrounded by a lot of like-minded people. Nice! Conferences bring together professors, researchers, and industry professionals. This makes it the perfect environment to create connections.

• Be prepared: Do your homework! Look up speakers you want to connect with, get to know what they are working on. You don’t want to ask a Nobel laureate what they ‘do for a living’, (AWKS).
• Ask good questions. ‘Tell me about your research’ is a safe bet. However, people have likely been asked this 100 times! But ‘So, do you think AI is coming for our jobs?’ is a more fun way of starting a conversation!
• Follow up: Actually, use the contact info you exchanged! No one likes ghosting, not even in academia

2) Mastering the Academic Elevator Pitch

Networking is not just about meeting as many people as you can; it is about them remembering you! Be ready to sum up your research without making eyes glaze over. A good elevator pitch should include:

• Who you are (without oversharing your existential crisis)
• What you are working on (Bonus points if you make it sound exciting!)
• Why it matters (yes, even if you study niche topics like “the sleep patterns of left-handed mice!)

3)The Follow-up: Because One Conversation is Never Enough

Networking doesn’t have to end just because the conference does. Following up with a professor or researcher can leave a lasting impression, and they will be more likely to remember you!

• Send a follow-up email: If you said you’ll reach out, do it before they forget who you are!
• Engage with their work: A quick comment on their paper beats “I totally meant to email you but …life.”
• Keep in touch casually: No one likes an email that screams “I need something,” stay on the persons radar without being that person

4) Social media: Academia, But Make it Digital

It is the 21st century! Networking doesn’t only have to be done in person; you can network on social media too! Academics are all over social media now, from Twitter feuds over peer review to LinkedIn humblebrags about ‘unexpected’ Nature publications. Here are some ways you can leverage social media:

• Twitter (X): This is a great platform to share your hot takes on research and watch professors argue about statistical significance! (People are now moving to BlueSky, it has the same principle as Twitter!)
• LinkedIn: This is networking holy ground! Once you have past all the “I am honoured to announce,” posts, you can use it to connect with fellow researchers or alumni! Another thing you can do is to type in your dream role into the search bar. LinkedIn will then give you a list of people with that job role! You can view their profile and see how they got to where they are, you can even drop them a cheeky message!
• Instagram & TikTok: Because why not make a reel about failed experiments? #SciComm is growing, and so is your audience

5) Professors & Peers: Your Built-in Network

The beauty of networking in academia? You don’t have to go anywhere! Your university is full of potential connections. Whether it is a fellow PhD student or one of your professors, let’s start utilizing these connections today!

• Talk to professors: They have connections, funding leads, and the power to write you a glowing recommendation letter! Treat them well!
• Make friends in your department: Today’s lab mate is tomorrow’s collaborator … or co-author on that stressful last-minute paper
• Join societies and clubs: Many departments or subject areas have a society you can join! Bonus points if they have free pizza!

6) Online Communities: The Introvert’s Best Friend

Don’t want to leave the house? No problem! There are many academic spaces online where academics hang out. This is a good way of meeting like-minded people without having to leave the sofa!

• ResearchGate & Google Scholar: Like LinkedIn but nerdier. Follow researchers, download papers, and pretend you’ll read them later!
• Academic Discords & Subreddits: Great for networking and venting about reviewer comments.
• Professional organisations: Joining a society for your research area e.g. Royal Society of Neuroscience or Women in Engineering are great for making connections (and they look fancy on your CV!)

7) Overcoming Networking Anxiety (Without Faking an Emergency Exit)

If the idea of networking makes you want to hide in the lab, don’t worry! Remember you are not alone, and networking intimidates more people than you think. Here are some ways to help you network:

• Prepare talking points: Awkward silence is worse than repeating the same question to five different people
• Attend events with a friend: Strength in numbers. Plus, they can save you from weird conversations.
• Fake Confidence: If you can present your research in a room full of professors, you can survive small talk!

Final thoughts

Networking in academia isn’t simply schmoozing; it’s about building genuine connections that can help shape your career. Whether it is chatting at a conference, joining an online community, or bonding over bad reviewer comments, every interaction counts!

And if all else fails, remember: Free food is always a valid networking incentive!