What, If Anything, Is an Academic Podcaster?

This is the first post of a blog called The Academic Podcaster. 

It's not an ordinary blog, it's a piece of a larger effort coming out of a private online community called Academic Podcasting. And it is—or will be—a vehicle for an upcoming new podcast called The Academic Podcaster. But the question begs itself: what is an "academic podcaster?"

Put most simply, an academic podcaster is a podcaster (duh!) whose mission serves an academic mission. That is, it serves students, faculty, scholars, librarians, learning scientists, support staff, educational administrators, alumni professionals—well, that list goes on and on, right? 

An academic podcast could also be speaking from outside academia to support an academic mission, such as facilitating changes in academia—such as advocating for educational reform or promoting diversity and inclusion in academia.

Academic Podcasting grew out of the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA). In the summer of 2020, I presented a Summer Webinar called Why Textbook & Academic Authors Should Be Podcasting. Right Now. It turned out that a handful of interested participants were willing to continue on as a small group to learn more about developing their academic podcasts and being in a community of support. As the mentor of this merry band, I started putting together some instructional content and decided to launch a new podcast as a sort of learning lab. And The Academic Podcaster was born.

The Academic Podcaster is still under development. There's a lot of foundation to be laid before a successful podcast is launched! However, the launch will be coming sooner rather than later. That's how we learn, right? Diving off the cliff before we lose our nerve.

If you'd like to be part of our community and be a living part of The Academic Podcaster, please go to AcademicPodcasting.org and register. It's a free community, but you do  have to register for it because it's separate from the chaotic world of public social media.

Whether you are a teacher considering the use of podcasting to establish a more intimate connection with your remote students, a scholar who wants to expand their network or their recognition as an expert, a textbook author want to connect with your teachers/learners, or any kind of educator or academic, you'll find something of interest in our community. That's because you'll be there and you'll help make that happen!

If you want to stay up to date with this blog, which will also publish all episodes of The Academic Podcaster as they become available, here are some options (easiest option first):

• Option One: Simply click here!
• Option Two: Text "The Academic Podcaster" to (+1) 781.262.3877 (data or message charges may apply)
• Option Three: Fill out the form at kevin.feedblitz.com and make sure "The Academic Podcaster" is selected (and deselect the other newsletters you may not be interested in)