Search Harper...
Why Harper?
Harper Adams University professor's paper published in Royal Science journal
"I hope that this paper will make people realise there are different types of blogs and try to help them realise the differences and how to identify them."
Professor of Entomology Simon Leather has co-authored a paper about the value and impact of academic blogging on the academic community which has just been published in Royal Society Open Science.
Professor Leather said: "Blogs are no longer simply online personal journals. In this paper we define an overlooked category of blogs that holds immense value for the scientific community: science community blogs which are written by practising scientists for scientists.
"I worked with a group of other academics who are also active bloggers to author this paper. We showed with data from all of our blogs that science community blogs are a valuable outreach and professional development tool.
"Blogs are also a citable primary source with potential to contribute to scientific knowledge.
"We think that it's time for blogs to be accepted as a standalone medium with huge benefits for individual scientists and the science community as a whole.
"I've been blogging for about four years. I think it's really worthwhile; I can see a lot of benefits coming out of it.
"I came up with the idea of trying to show what some of these benefits are, and that scientific blogs are researched enough to be referenced in academic papers."
To create the paper, Professor Leather worked with academics who are also current bloggers in the UK, Sweden, the USA, Canada and Australia.
"We all pulled out statistics from our blogs which we then analysed. We also produced examples of how blog posts have been turned into papers and articles and also referenced in academic papers.
"The paper which we produced has been published by the Royal Society for their journal Open Science. It's had the best feedback I've ever received for a paper; it's really nice to have such glowing reviews.
"I hope that this paper will make people realise there are different types of blogs and try to help them realise the differences and how to identify them. This for example includes looking at the authors and integrity of the referencing."
Arrangements for lockdown rent refunds confirmed
Harper Adams Club launches Centenary Scholarship
Successful poultry career for Niamh Molloy
Modern University of the Year: Harper Adams rewrites history as it climbs into the Times top 20 UK universities
Coronavirus testing centre opens at Harper Adams
Teaching and Learning during the early 2021 lockdown.
Harper Adams secures AHDB contract for modelling trade agreements
New centre puts farmer priorities at heart of innovation research
Farmers will have a bigger role in agricultural research and development that works for them, thanks to a new academic centre announced today. Posted 4 December 2020
Nicky Hunter presented the UKAT Senior Advisor Award
Sustainable livestock systems expert appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Cookies on the Harper Adams University website
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.
Ok, got it Learn more
Extended Degree
Short Courses/CPD
Current applicants
Sports, clubs and social life
Placement and careers
Explore our research facilities
Search our research
Offer a placement or scholarship
Work at Harper Adams
How to get to Harper Adams
Legal and governance
Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
Tel: +44 (0) 1952 820280 Fax: +44 (0) 1952 814783
Registered in England and Wales as a Company Limited by Guarantee under Company No. 8049710. Registered Charity No. 1147717.