This space is designed to help you move from curiosity to action. Here you’ll find practical guidance on building a research-focused CV, connecting with supervisors, and publishing your work. Whether you’re taking your first step or planning what comes after graduation, this page is about turning interest into real-world progress.
Build your profile, grow your network, and unlock research opportunities.
Why LinkedIn Matters for Undergraduate Researchers
LinkedIn is more than a job-search platform. For undergraduate students interested in research, it can become a space to explore opportunities, connect with researchers and organisations, and start building a professional identity early in your career.
Through LinkedIn, you can:
Discover research assistant roles, internships, conferences, and scholarships
Connect with academics, researchers, postgraduate students, and organisations
Showcase your interests, coursework, projects, and experiences
Learn about research pathways, honours, and postgraduate opportunities
Many opportunities are shared informally through networks, being active online can help you stay informed and connected.
What Makes a Strong Student Profile?
You do not need years of experience to create a strong LinkedIn profile. A good student profile clearly communicates:
who you are
what you are interested in
where you would like to grow
The Headline
Try to be more specific than simply writing “Law Student”.
Include things like:
your degree/discipline
research or career interests
areas you are curious about
The “About” Section
Use this section to provide a short introduction about your interests and goals. Think of it as a quick snapshot of your academic and professional direction.
Include things like:
what you study
what topics interest you
what skills you are developing
what opportunities you are currently exploring
Key Tips
Networking
Networking does not have to feel transactional or intimidating. Start small and focus on genuine curiosity and engagement.
Follow researchers, organisations, journals, and labs related to your interests
Connect with academics, postgraduate students, and peers
Engage thoughtfully with posts by commenting or sharing reflections
Attend workshops, conferences, or events and connect afterwards
Consistency matters more than having a large network.
What Can You Post as a Student?
You do not need to be an expert to contribute meaningfully online. Ideas for student posts:
Reflections on lectures or topics you found interesting
Conferences, workshops, or events you attended
Research articles or resources you are learning from
Academic projects or presentations
Experiences exploring research opportunities
Sharing your learning journey can help you connect with others and build confidence over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving your profile incomplete
Using no profile photo or an unclear photo
Only listing jobs and forgetting academic experiences
Waiting until final year to start networking
Trying to sound overly formal or “perfect”
Your profile should feel authentic, clear, and reflective of your interests.
Create Your Action Plan
Update your LinkedIn headline
Add or revise your “About” section
Follow 5 researchers or organisations in your field
Connect with 3 people related to your interests
Share or engage with 1 post
Add one academic or extracurricular experience to your profile
Building a LinkedIn profile is not about having everything figured out already. It is about creating visibility, exploring opportunities, and gradually building connections and confidence as you progress through university.
Start simple, stay curious, and keep building over time.
You can find more information about building your LinkedIn profile on our resources page.
Undergraduate journals are academic or creative publications that showcase undergraduate students’ work. They may be student-led, supported by faculties, or hosted by universities and research centres. These journals publish original research, literature reviews, critical essays, and creative or interdisciplinary work, depending on their scope.
Publishing in an undergraduate journal provides experience in the publication and communication process, from submission and peer review to final revisions and publication.
While each journal has its own guidelines, most undergraduate journals look for work that demonstrates:
Original thinking - a clear argument, research question, or creative contribution
Strong engagement with sources - appropriate use of academic literature or evidence
Clarity and structure - well-organised writing that communicates ideas effectively
Content which fits the journal’s scope - relevant to the discipline or theme of the publication
Some journals also value reflective writing, interdisciplinary perspectives, or creative approaches alongside traditional research formats. This means that you don't need to submit a paper that follows a traditional “lab experiment” format to get published. Many undergraduate journals also welcome a wide range of research and writing styles, like literature reviews, reflective or commentary pieces, interdisciplinary work, non-traditional methodologies, and even studies that report null or unexpected results. You can also work with existing or open-access data, reanalysing datasets, re-coding qualitative material or exploring new perspectives. What is most important is clear thinking, ethical practice, and a well supported argument.
Preparing your work for submission is an important step. Before submitting, take time to shape your work into a publishable piece. Some important steps include:
Reviewing the journal guidelines
Refining your argument or research question
Editing for structure and clarity
Checking references and citations
Seeking feedback from tutors, peers or supervisors
Publishing is often an iterative process, and revisions are a normal and valuable part of developing your work to a higher standard.
Head to the resources page to find our Quick Guides to publishing and links to different undergraduate journals to help you prepare your work for submission.