How LinkedIn helped me create research collaborations

Many researchers and academics think of LinkedIn as a digital CV: a place to list degrees, roles, publications and institutional affiliations. 

But, used well, it can be so much more than that. It can become a professional community where researchers, academic leaders and industry partners meet, exchange ideas and gradually build trust.

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In my experience, LinkedIn has helped me connect with researchers in engineering, energy and sustainability from different countries. But these connections are not usually sparked by sending a cold message asking for collaboration – I would not recommend that as a starting point. My recommendation is to use LinkedIn as a space for professional dialogue and, ultimately, as what it is: a social network.

I began by identifying people working on topics related to my own interests. Then I followed their work, engaged with their posts and shared short updates about my own research activities. Over time, these interactions became virtual professional relationships. In some cases, they opened the door to co-authored publications, academic events and international collaboration opportunities.

For researchers, especially those working in institutions outside the main global research hubs, this kind of visibility matters. LinkedIn can help make local research activity visible to a wider academic and professional audience. But it’s a visibility that comes about after sustained effort and intention.

Here are three things I recommend doing to connect with researchers through LinkedIn.

Keep your profile updated

No researcher should neglect their LinkedIn profile. When someone receives a message from you, sees your comment or reads one of your posts, they are likely to visit your profile. If it is incomplete, outdated or too generic, you lose the opportunity to build credibility.

Your updated profile should clearly show your current role, research interests, institutional affiliation, recent projects and the areas in which you are open to collaboration. It does not need to be overloaded with information, but it should answer a simple question: who are you professionally, and what kind of work are you doing now? The main point here is to build trust with the person who connects with you.

Share short and authentic research updates

Posting on LinkedIn does not require writing long essays. In fact, short posts about recent research activities can be more effective. A conference presentation, a workshop, a field visit, a student project, a paper under review or a new research question can all become opportunities to communicate what you are working on. I also recommend accompanying these posts with a photo or image whenever possible.

The key is to write in a human voice. One common mistake is publishing generic posts generated by artificial intelligence without careful review. These posts may have flawless grammar, but they lack personal voice, context and a real connection with your community. It is important to remember that, although LinkedIn is a professional network, it is still a social network, where people also come to discover and engage with new content.

A useful post does not need to exaggerate achievements. It can simply explain what you did, why it matters and what you learned. This kind of communication helps others understand your interests and can attract researchers working on similar topics.

Engage before asking for collaboration

In my experience, collaboration rarely begins with a request. When I began, I wrote to people I did not know soon after connecting with them and received no response. However, when I started posting more regularly, connecting with people who shared my interests and building consistent interaction, they were much more likely to reply to my messages.

My recommendation is to comment thoughtfully on their posts, share useful reflections, congratulate them on relevant achievements or ask informed questions about their research. These small interactions create familiarity. Over time, a researcher who once seemed distant can become part of your professional network. Later, when there is already some professional familiarity, I propose a concrete opportunity, such as a co-authored publication, an academic panel or participation in an international event.

The lesson is simple: LinkedIn works best when it is used as a relationship-building tool and understood as a social network, not only as a broadcasting platform or a repository of achievements.

Remember these three things. First, make your identity as a researcher clear. Your headline and profile summary should explain your field, current role and main research interests. Avoid vague descriptions that do not tell others what you actually do.

Second, show evidence of active work. Share short updates about projects, publications, conferences, teaching innovations, student research or institutional initiatives. This helps others see that your profile is not static.

Third, write with a human tone. Use AI tools to improve clarity if needed, but do not let them erase your personal perspective. A good LinkedIn post should sound professional, but it should also reflect the warmth and experience of a real person sharing what they have lived. 

Julian C. Pena-Bermudez is vice-rector for research at Universidad del Caribe (UNICARIBE).

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