Academia.edu is a networking site for academics, created with the purpose of expanding and accelerating research. Members are invited to share their research papers with the community in order to make them more accessible. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the specific topics being covered in your field; it allows you to follow the research of academics whose work is relevant to your own and keep up to date with the most recent developments. In addition to allowing you to track the originality of your own research, it can provide inspiration and direction.
This is also a fantastic means of networking within your own subject community. Academia.edu is currently approaching 2.5 million members worldwide – a huge pool of resources. Having diverse connections within your academic sphere is key to keeping your research current. Furthermore, particularly as a postgraduate, the site provides a platform to present your own research and be recognised as an academic. Other members can follow your research, which allows you to raise your profile within your field.
Join Academia.edu here.