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Scholarly Communication: How can I increase the impact of my research?

The Scholarly Communications committee provides Bucknell’s faculty scholars with customized information, education, and guidance as well as the technical resources and support services needed throughout all steps of the scholarly communications process.

A.

First, take some time to reflect on what story you WANT to tell about your impact in several years and what 'impactful scholarship' means to you. Numbers are great, but we know numbers can tell lies at worst and can be only part of the story at best. Engaged students, professional and community connections, and deep intentional growth can and should be your story.  Numbers and narratives should help tell that story, and these and other engagement strategies should be used thoughtfully to enhance and find new connections in your scholarship and work. 

Your impact and story should be personal to you and your work and collaboration, but we also acknowledge the pressure that pre-tenure faculty especially are under, so make sure to discuss your thoughts with your department chair and other mentors. 

Some general ways to increase the reach of your work include:

  • Using Digital Commons or another non-profit disciplinary repository to share your accepted manuscript and/or its metadata and make it Green OA to increase visibility and accessibility.
  • Collaborating with the Bucknell University Media Relations Team to see if a press release or similar media outreach is appropriate.
  • Considering opportunities to share aspects of your work at conferences, workshops, or other professional events shortly after publication.
  • Researching Search Engine Optimization tactics and how to use them in a way that supports the discoverability of your work without compromising the quality of your work. Adding keywords and repeating words or phrases in your title and abstract may enhance the visibility of your work.