Ten years ago, a collaborator asked 'why is your bio so serious?'
I was like, 'what do you mean?'
He was like, 'you stick so much stuff into it, it's like you have something to prove?'
I was like, 'but aren't bios supposed to be serious?'
He said, 'look at my bios & call me back.'
So I looked. This guy with 50,000+ citations & dozens of great papers had a short bio & a dog with a crazy name.
I called back, 'what's up with the dog?'
He's like, 'if you know methods, you know the dog doesn't exist.'
He convinced me that a long-winded bio signaled insecurity - which isn't a good look.
Since then, I shortened my bio & sneak in something fun.
Now, people actually comment on my bio's content, & ask if the something fun is' for real.'
So how do you write a bio that gets attention?
First, understand journal bios are usually read by people who just read your work & are curious about you.
They just want a little, not a lot, more.
Second, recognize that this bio should conciesely share who you are.
Why a few? No one reads long bios. So pick your words carefully!
Third, your bio is a precise summary of who you are today.
You must include your employer & where you took your degrees. The rest should change with time.
Fourth, your bio must include quality cues.
Let a reader know your three best in-discipline outlets & one or two out-of-discipline outlets.
Why? Add too many & people think you are bragging. Worse, they may think you are hiding insecurities (you probably are!)
Fifth, your bio must include current research interests.
Why? Your readers to know what is next, they can look at your CV for the past.
Sixth, your bio should limit service information.
I only include editorial work. It's relevant to assessing my research.
Again too much service & you look like you are compensating.
Seventh, carefully consider whether you list your consulting or grants.
Most companies don't like being listed. Most funding agencies do.
I no longer list companies because I prefer people to assess my work, not whom I work.
Eighth, don't include the kitchen sink.
Usually, people that throw in everything are sandbaggers. They try to dazzle readers with their connections, dated pubs, or irrelevant awards.
Every one of my bad coauthors has a long bio.
Before collaborating, I now look at bios; if they list everything a person has ever done, I run the other direction.
Finally, list something fun.
This is your hook. I've included things on tailgating, cooking, dancing, parenting, driving fast, my dog, and whatever I have going on.
It's super fun & lets my personality shine.
Is this professional? No.
Is it memorable? Yes.
And it starts the conversation.
A short, concise, fun bio is a great way to make friends, tell people who you are today, & project confidence to your community.
Best of luck & have some fun with your bio in your next pub!
P.S. I still haven't figured out the dog joke.
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