Why blogging is important for a researcher ?

As a start for this new blog series of mine, I thought of spending some time to think how blogging can be beneficial for a researcher. Time is gold : valuable and limited; hence, it is very important to spend each second doing something worthwhile. Blogging is something upon which you can spend a generous amount of time without a hesitation as it bears a positive Return on Investment. I compiled a list of reasons for why I think blogging is important for someone pursuing a research career. 

•         Expands the knowledge base.

The more you think, read, learn and experiment the more you can blog. Eventually it expands the knowledge base and help to gain expertise in many areas.

•       Increases the hunger to research

Blogging and researching go hand in hand and it has become a new paradigm in research communication. To compile quality blogs one needs to engage in more research. Hence, blogging is a good medium to enhance the research career, especially for beginners pursuing a research career.

•         Expands social connections

There are many bloggers out there in the blogosphere who blogs on a variety of things. When you start blogging and researching, it is obvious that you may drop in on good or debatable posts and comment on them. And the vice versa can be expected.  Hence, you can get connected with many people who are the expertise in areas of your interest.

•       Establishes your name in the globe and creates a space for your voice

When you blog stuff you are researching about, others who are researching the same area may pay a visit on your posts. The posts you have compiled can become useful to those who are searching on those research areas. This leads your name to be established among a wider audience.

Blog is a best way of conveying your genuine thoughts and perspectives for a wide audience around the globe.

•  Reduces stress and a means of spending leisure time effectively

Blogging is a gainful hobby to engage with in leisure time. As the thoughts stocked in the mind are poured in to a blog post, more relaxed and happy you can be.  

•  Polishes the writing skills

Writing skill is a major tool for a good researcher.  Blogging helps to polish this skill progressively.

These are not the only benefits and this is just a list of benefits that crossed my mind for the moment. Following is a good article I came across in the web where  Patrick Dunleavy and Chris Gilson  talks about how blogging can help academics .

Fiveminutes with Patrick Dunleavy and Chris Gilson: “Blogging is quite simply, oneof the most important things that an academic should be doing right now”.