"I want a personal academic website, but I don't know where to start."
"I don't have a lot of tech skills, but a website has been on my to-do list for a while."
"I know I need a website, but it's a big project. I need motivation and guidance along the way."
Does this sound like you? Create Your Personal Academic Website is the course for you.
Build a beautiful personal academic website
Are you ready to share your work on a personal website? Websites are the best way to manage your online presence long-term.
This self-paced course will teach you how to
- plan and build a personal academic website*
- write a clear academic bio
- host documents like your CV
- showcase and link to publications
- share conferences and speaking engagements
- create graphics and write content for your site
- share your accomplishments
*This is a writing and content-focused website design course. While the training videos use WordPress, you may use whatever website host you want.
Get the support and guidance you need with
- 8-weeks of email support
- live office hours with Jennifer
There are so many benefits to a personal academic website
Here are some of the benefits you'll get from this training:
- Your colleagues and others in your field will be able to find you, and your work.
- Students learn about you in a fun and engaging way. And, if you have a good teaching section, it's a great way to attract students who actually understand what your classes will be like.
- People who want to get in touch (potential collaborators, the media) will be able to. They'll can learn about you and know how to reach out for speaking engagements, media requests, and collaborations.
- Potential funders and publishers will have a better understanding of who they're working with. Your ability to publicize yourself helps them justify their time and funds.
- You will have a better understanding of the impact of your own work.
- Website visitors will be able to develop longer-term connections with you and your work.
- People can connect with you on the social media accounts you share on your website with ease.
When you complete this course you will have an easy-to-navigate and engaging website to present your professional accomplishments.
1 | Welcome
Learn about the benefits you’ll get from personal academic websites. And, you'll conduct a personal audit of your online presence.
This lesson walks you through your website host options, and leads you through gathering your documents.
2 | Who are you? All about the bio
Before you create your website, you need to think about who you are, and what you most want to share. Evaluate your professional goals, choose a headshot and write an effective bio.
3 | Let's talk about your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Learn how to share your curriculum vitae online. It's time for a CV makeover. And, I have an electronic CV template to help get yours ready for online viewing.
4 | Website basics
Once you've picked the best host for you, it's time to choose a domain name and title. For WordPress users, get a full walkthrough of the Gutenberg editor.
5 | Create Your Website
Let's get your website started. It's time to create your About page. And get my pre-publish checklist for new pages.
6 | Talking About Your Research
Communicate your research by making it approachable. People should be able to understand who you are and what you do, here's how.
7 | All about teaching
Create an electronic teaching portfolio for your faculty website. And get a bonus lesson on document design for your students!
8 | Design for your website
Finding images, editing your own, and how to make visuals accessible. Plus, learn the basics of graphic design and create a simple logo and icon for your website.
9 | Managing and sharing your website
What updates to check for, website security, getting visitors to your website and more.
Hi, I'm Jennifer van Alstyne
@HigherEdPR
I'm a communications strategist for faculty, researchers, and graduate students like you.
The Academic Designer LLC consults with research labs, centers, and universities around the world.
Your work deserves to be seen and heard. I'm here to help.
Why people are taking this course
What made you decide to take this course?
"I enjoyed the social media course and I am always looking for more ways to improve my visibility online."
"I have been procrastinating on setting up my website and I thought this course would give me structure and content knowledge."
Why do you want a personal academic website?
"Visibility! Not just for getting jobs and getting my professional network looking at my work, but for the communities I work with."
"I need a place to consolidate several short term projects that I have completed since graduation. A website might serve as a portfolio of work for future collaborators."
People who have taken this course have found the lessons 'very' or 'extremely' clear
They found the lessons "helpful" or "very helpful."
People taking this course have found things "easy to follow" with a "clear layout of website options."
Students appreciate the "clear way you walked through the content of each section with examples."
And they love the templates and worksheets.
Course Curriculum
- Introduction: Website basics
- Pick the best host for you
- Decide on a domain and title
- Navigating WordPress (18:46)
- Here's the backend of my website (+ WP Admin) VIDEO (7:18)
- Thinking about themes
- Jennifer chooses a new theme for her personal website VIDEO (9:29)
- My new personal website theme [Summer 2020] VIDEO (1:31)
- Introduction: Create your Website
- Create your About page (7:25)
- What do I need to consider when adding new pages?
- Thinking about Site Structure
- Let's talk about menus
- What is Search Engine Optimization? VIDEO (3:05)
- Do you need a Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy? VIDEO (1:45)
- Take your website live (if you want)
- Introduction: Talking about your research
- Your research should be approachable
- Creating your research page
- Summarize your research VIDEO (1:21)
- Let's talk about publications
- Do you have a lot of conferences and speaking engagements?
- Consider these before starting your blog
- Getting started blogging (2:27)
- Join me at office hours for a mini audit of your website VIDEO (0:46)
- Introduction: Next Steps
- I need your help. Take the survey
- Now you have beautiful website. Let's talk social media
- Further Reading and Resources
- Awesome people you should know
- BONUS: How to get guest posts, podcast appearances, and YouTube VIDEO (3:20)
Watch this video from Jennifer
Join Create Your Personal Academic Website today
Has a website been on your to-do list? This course has everything you need to create your website step-by-step.
When it comes to personal websites, you have a few options:
Do It Yourself
You plan and design your website yourself.
Create Your Personal Academic Website is the perfect companion!
Don't waste time searching the internet for how-to's that might lead you down the wrong path. This step-by-step course ensures your website is ready to launch with check-in's at each stage.
Done For You
Work with a website designer or developer to create your website.
This option ranges from $1,000-$15,000.
Website designers and developers are great at what they do. As academics and researchers, you have a specialized audience they likely aren't familiar with.
This course is a great companion if you're planning to work with a developer since they don't create content. Write and plan visual content with this course. Then, you'll have everything you need to work with a developer to execute those plans.
Work with Me
Work with Jennifer van Alstyne on a strategic website plan.
Strategic planning with Jennifer for personal websites starts at $1,500.
You can complete your website DIY or Jennifer can finish the project for you.
Total project costs for personal websites with me range from $5,000-$10,000.
Or, you could join this course and have everything you need for your personal website.
Here's what's included with your course purchase
Lifetime access to the course + updates
Your course purchase comes with lifetime access. That means, you'll always have the best, up-to-date information available.
8-weeks of email support
Included with your course purchase is 8-weeks of email support from Jennifer. If you have any questions about social media, your purchase includes the help you need.
Live Monthly Office Hours
Get answers to your questions in real time. Join my virtual Zoom conference room to get real time advice even after your 8-weeks of email support is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this course begin?
Once you enroll, you'll get confirmation emails in your inbox and access to the full lifetime access to the course.
What is the time commitment for this course?
This course is the equivalent of a 4-day workshop. With lifetime access and short lessons, you can complete this self-paced course in your own time.
What expenses should I expect beyond the cost of this course?
You can have a personal academic website for free. But, I recommend setting aside $100-$300/year for hosting and domain expenses.
Can't I just find free resources online?
Sure, there are lots of articles out there about how to make an academic personal website in like 1-hour. But those websites aren't well-thought out. And, they likely won't work for you long-term.
Many articles on academic websites people down the wrong path for them like
- choosing the wrong website host
- using a platform you don't own/control
- how-to for technical aspects but no help for what content to include
Many of the articles online are out-dated. I know because I've read all of them. I've spent years researching the best ways professors and researchers can talk about their work online.
You could spend hundreds of hours combing through old articles and still make a website on the wrong platform. You might eventually give up or abandon your website altogether.
Or, you could sign up for this course. Updated each year with just the information you need.
What is the difference between this course and other courses?
Other website design courses are focused on
- how to design your website
- how to launch it
But they don't cover how to write for your website. They don't help you know what other visual content to place (i.e. photos, graphics, videos).
Courses that do cover everything are usually geared towards personal brands and consultants (who will be selling something).
Create Your Personal Academic Website is a specialized training just for professors and researchers like you. It's designed to walk you through the process of creating your website step-by-step.
I help faculty and scientists around the world manage their online presence. This course sets you up for long-term success, and ensures your website can adapt with you over time.
What is the refund policy?
Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you don't like the course, email me within 30 days of purchase for a full refund.
What if I want additional support?
Students of my paid courses get access to a special consulting rate not open to the public. Email me at [email protected]