Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 19h

One of my favorite posts is about sending direct messages on social media, or reaching out to connect directly with folks in deeper ways.

It's an oldie but goodie inspired my my friend, Dr. Echo Rivera theacademicdesigner.com/2020/how-to-...

Connect through Direct Messaging on Social Media

Direct messages on social media are a great way to network. Start conversations with faculty and researchers in your field through direct messaging (DMs). Learn the art of sending direct messages.

theacademicdesigner.com

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 19h

There's so much possibility for connection online when you're willing to reach out first, #AcademicSky #ScienceSky

Hi, I'm Jennifer van Alstyne. I started The Social Academic blog back in 2018 to help folks in Higher Education have a meaningful online presence.

One of my favorite posts...
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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

Substack, newsletter, blog, website?

Are you exploring options for what you want to share?

You may find this conversation with @americanstudier.bsky.social and @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social about sharing your public scholarship online helpful for you #AcademicSky

theacademicdesigner.com/2025/public-...

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

I had a beautiful vacation with my family, a long weekend that felt too short 🌴

Catching up with things today, I'm already behind on my Agenda. A last item on my to-do list and the rest will wait till tomorrow ✅

Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Ben Railton @americanstudier.bsky.social · 3d

+ Please share widely to get all this great public scholarship to all the folks, & make sure to check out our new Black & White & Read All Over site for these threads & much more!

blackwhiteandread.com

Black and White and Read All Over

blackwhiteandread.com

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

Hi, I'm Jennifer van Alstyne. Nice to meet you!

In this episode of my podcast, The Social Academic, I sit down with my own photo / hair and makeup team to share what to expect and their top tips for folks who thinking about working with a professional too.
theacademicdesigner.com/2025/photogr...

Photography, Hair, and Makeup with Melissa McClure and Amanda Thorne on The Social Academic podcast hosted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

For some of the academic websites I've designed, we bring in extra support from a professional photographer. Or, chat about taking photos with your family or a friend.

There's many ways to share who you are on your personal academic website. I'm here to help you if you want done-for-you support.

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

But it's okay if you want that bit of effort to enhance your website visually too.

Photos are also useful far beyond your website. Faculty have found they're helpful for events, visiting lectures, interviews, podcast guesting, and the media. Folks use them on the intro slide for presentations too.

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

When we finished our Planning Meeting, new photos that look and feel like her? It just made sense. So I was happy to pause our project while she decided on a photographer local to her area. Tomorrow is the day.

New photos, or even no photos, shouldn't hold you back from your new website project.

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 1d

A faculty client is having her photo shoot tomorrow. I'm excited for her. It's been years since she took new photos. Her new website felt like the motivation she needed.

When we 1st started working together? New photos for her weren't a priority, more a nice-to-have but not now kinda thing.

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Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Ben Railton @americanstudier.bsky.social · 3d

Here it is, my 244th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more in comments below, share as widely as possible, & thanks, all! 🗃️

blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...

#ScholarSunday Thread 244 (10/5/25) – Black and White and Read All Over

Here it is, my 244th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing & work, podcast episodes, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more in comments below, share as widely as possib...

blackwhiteandread.com

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 6d

1 more day! Can't wait to head out on a family vacation for the weekend 🌴

We leave bright and early Friday morning 🌅

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Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 8d

Public Scholarship on The Social Academic podcast 🎙️🎧

@americanstudier.bsky.social and @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social join me to celebrate Black and White and Read All Over, a new website home for their public scholarship like Ben's #ScholarSunday and Vaughn's Review Roulette.
youtube.com/live/OKzkv3y...

Public Scholarship with Drs. Ben Railton and Vaughn Joy

YouTube video by The Social Academic from Jennifer van Alstyne

youtube.com

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Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Dr. Vaughn Joy @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social · 8d

We had so much fun talking with Jennifer about our new website!

We really hope this site can grow and evolve into a resource for you all to share your announcements and achievements and calls for projects and all the rest, so please reach out!

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 8d

Public Scholarship on The Social Academic podcast 🎙️🎧

@americanstudier.bsky.social and @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social join me to celebrate Black and White and Read All Over, a new website home for their public scholarship like Ben's #ScholarSunday and Vaughn's Review Roulette.
youtube.com/live/OKzkv3y...

Public Scholarship with Drs. Ben Railton and Vaughn Joy

YouTube video by The Social Academic from Jennifer van Alstyne

youtube.com

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 8d

A special thank you to @walterdgreason.bsky.social for inspiring this episode! I appreciate you ✨

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 8d

Have you thought about creating space for your research and writing online? They have tips for you for just starting out or are wanting to create a more regular series like a newsletter, podcast, or blog.

You can watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram theacademicdesigner.com/2025/public-...

Public Scholarship with Drs. Ben Railton and Vaughn Joy

https://youtube.com/live/OKzkv3yUCrU What is public scholarship? And, if it's something you value as an academic, how do you house the resources you want to share online? Dr. Ben Railton and Dr. Vaugh...

theacademicdesigner.com

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 8d

Public Scholarship on The Social Academic podcast 🎙️🎧

@americanstudier.bsky.social and @gvaughnjoy.bsky.social join me to celebrate Black and White and Read All Over, a new website home for their public scholarship like Ben's #ScholarSunday and Vaughn's Review Roulette.
youtube.com/live/OKzkv3y...

Public Scholarship with Drs. Ben Railton and Vaughn Joy

YouTube video by The Social Academic from Jennifer van Alstyne

youtube.com

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Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 10d

Would you like to be a guest on a podcast?

There's a moment of fear or hesitation when I ask academics this question. Like, do I want that for myself and my research?

After a pause...literally everyone has said yes. Even if they aren't seeking it, they feel like, "I'm open to being on a podcast."

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Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 15d

Ever thought about starting a podcast with a friend? 🎙️🎧🤗

A new episode of The Social Academic podcast just went live for you, #AcademicSky www.youtube.com/live/ZQuWKkt...

Start a Podcast with Your Friend, Two Therapists Nerd Out

YouTube video by The Social Academic from Jennifer van Alstyne

www.youtube.com

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 10d

I invited podcast coach, host, and producer, Cheryl Lau to my podcast, The Social Academic. She shares her top tips for being a podcast guest with you 🎧🎙✨️

#AcademicSky #ScienceSky

Read on the blog theacademicdesigner.com/2025/how-to-...

Watch the video on YouTube
www.youtube.com/live/nRFKPNg...

How to Be A Great Podcast Guest with Cheryl Lau

YouTube video by The Social Academic from Jennifer van Alstyne

www.youtube.com

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 10d

Professors share that being a podcast guest
-is easy to prep for, especially when hosts share questions or topics in advance
-fits into their busy schedule
-can reach aligned audiences
-feels like a natural way to network and build relationships
-can help people / be a resource for years to come

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 10d

I ask about podcast guesting because being on a podcast is one way academics can have a meaningful online presence beyond social media.

Academics love that it helps them reach folks in their field, or who share a interest in the topic of the podcast.

Have you been a podcast guest before?

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 10d

Would you like to be a guest on a podcast?

There's a moment of fear or hesitation when I ask academics this question. Like, do I want that for myself and my research?

After a pause...literally everyone has said yes. Even if they aren't seeking it, they feel like, "I'm open to being on a podcast."

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Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 12d

I had such fun on our video shoot yesterday at a museum here in San Diego.

My father-in-law's new YouTube video on Art With Bob Pincus is in progress ✨️

Complete: Video on location, yay!
Next: Artist interview
Then: Recording in our home studio

Dr. Robert L. Pincus, host of Art With Bob Pincus on YouTube, shooting the introduction to an upcoming video for his channel. He's standing in a museum in San Diego.

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Reposted by Jennifer van Alstyne

Jennifer van Alstyne @jenvanalstyne.bsky.social · 14d

"There's a silencing happening in Higher Ed right now." I'm just off a video call where this sentence hung for a moment over all of us. I so appreciate the person who voiced this, because we're all feeling it.

A thread 🧵

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