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How to Write a Good Lay (Plain Language) Summary

10 October 2024

Navigating Your Career

How to Write a Good Lay (Plain Language) Summary

Imagine the exhilaration of seeing your research finally published after countless hours of dedication and hard work. The sense of accomplishment is immense. But as the initial excitement wears off, a sobering realisation sets in: your study is just one among thousands, buried in the vast ocean of academic literature. The question then arises: how can you ensure your research breaks through the noise and resonates with a broader audience, making a tangible impact beyond scholarly circles? A lay summary, also known as a plain-language summary, is a powerful solution. What is a lay summary (plain language summary)? A lay summary, used interchangeably here with a plain language summary, is a concise, easy‑to‑understand explanation of a research article written for non‑experts. These summaries translate complex academic content into clear, everyday language, making your work accessible to individuals from non‑scientific backgrounds who are curious about your topic. Unlike traditional abstracts, which often rely on technical terminology and discipline‑specific phrasing, lay/plain language summaries focus on clarity, simplicity, and relevance. They explain: Why the research was conducted What the researchers discovered Why the findings matter Their purpose is to make research more discoverable, more understandable, and more meaningful to the wider public. Given that scientific papers are often difficult for non‑specialists to interpret, these summaries play a crucial role in promoting transparency, accessibility, and public engagement in science. Why choose a lay (plain language) summary? As the scientific community increasingly embraces openness, lay summaries are becoming essential to research communication. Major funders such as the American Cancer Society, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Patient‑Centered Outcomes Research Initiative require general‑audience summaries as part of their grant applications. Many journals and institutional review boards also mandate summaries written specifically for non‑specialists. For example, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute requires an abstract “readable by non‑specialists as well as by experts,” and the Annals of Behavioural Medicine includes lay/plain language summaries as a standard requirement. Benefits of writing lay/plain language summaries Enhanced Visibility: Clear, accessible summaries help your research stand out. They can attract attention from journalists, policymakers, educators, and community organisations, increasing your academic visibility among peers and beyond. Increased Accessibility: Your research achievements are no longer confined within academic walls. A broader community, including patients, caregivers, students, and the general public, can learn about and appreciate the impact of your work. Funding Opportunities: Funding bodies increasingly value public outreach and accessible communication. A strong lay/plain language summary can strengthen your grant applications by demonstrating your commitment to sharing knowledge widely. To further improve engagement, you can include summary images or summary pictures that visually highlight key findings. Visuals make your work even more discoverable and easier to understand at a glance. Lay/plain language summary example Here is a simple lay/plain language summary example: Researchers studied how daily walking affects stress levels in adults. They found that people who walked for at least 30 minutes a day reported lower stress and improved mood. This suggests that a simple, low‑cost activity like walking can support mental wellbeing and may be recommended as part of everyday health routines. This example shows how plain language summaries can be written without changing the content or purpose of the research.  How to add a lay/plain language summary on SciProfiles SciProfiles allows you to add lay summaries to your publications, making them more visible to readers interested in your research. Steps to add a summary: Sign up or log in to SciProfiles Open one of your publications Find the Lay Summary section Click Add New Write or paste your summary and upload it Tips for writing effective lay/plain language summaries Writing a good plain language summary takes practice, but several steps can be followed to express your research effectively: Know Your Audience: Tailor your language to readers with no scientific background. Avoid Jargon: Use plain language and explain any necessary technical terms. Be Clear and Concise: Follow a logical structure and keep sentences short and direct.  Register to join SciProfiles and explore lay summaries from academics in fields similar to yours. Last updated on: July 25, 2026
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Zoë Gross

1955

Trends in Open Access

19 September 2024

The Latest in Global Science

Trends in Open Access

Open access publishing has facilitated the rapid production and dissemination of scientific knowledge globally. Over the last three decades, it has built a reputation for producing high-quality peer-reviewed academic work. This article provides an overview of the main aims of open access, including key features like accessibility, collaboration, and the open sharing of research materials. What is open access? How does open access publishing work? Then, emerging trends in open access will be discussed, including the open science movement, the implementation of government mandates, and the use of AI in publishing. The landscape of open access Open access refers to the practice of making academic research as freely available to readers as possible. This includes being published online by an open access journal and being able to read, share, and use that work for free. With the goal of making research universally available, proponents of open access are pushing for meaningful change within academia. This includes improved accessibility and collaboration within the publishing industry. OA enables scholars to share their research outputs much more quickly than closed access or subscription-based journals. There are multiple types of OA publishing, based on a colour-coded naming system, including green, hybrid, and diamond. Each type offers a different form of kind of access to reading, sharing, and/or reusing academic work. For example, gold OA is the standard option for many open access journals, as published articles are permanently and freely available upon publication. In addition, authors are able to keep the copyright to their work, and it can be shared and reused freely online. OA has greatly benefited academia and global society more broadly. As research and publishing processes are opening up, more people are able to engage with and share academic work. This equals a broader readership and a public more knowledgeable and invested in scientific discovery. Features of open access publishing Open access publishing has helped to facilitate academic systems that are more open, accessible, and sustainable. Accessibility and equity The issue of accessible and equitable research and publishing processes is at the core of OA publishing. Increased financial and technological support for scholars who typically struggle to publish and/or access scientific research is needed. The divide between the global North and South has continued, even with the shift towards OA. Democratization of knowledge OA aims to increase accessibility to scientific research as much as possible. Reducing barriers so that readers from within academia and the public at large can facilitate the further democratization of knowledge. By trying to equalize academic systems, marginalized and underrepresented communities from across the globe have the opportunity to participate in a more meaningful way. Collaboration Open access encourages partnerships between different stakeholders. Prioritizing collaboration among government bodies, public and private funders, academic institutions, and publishers. In this sense, open access encourages researcher- and community-driven research. But authors, institutions, and publishers need more financial support to be able to realize the potential that this kind of work holds, including for policymaking and public education. Emerging trends in open access There are still some limitations to open access publishing within different scientific communities. But, overall, emerging trends in open access focus on alleviating the barriers that are a part of traditional publishing. Open science Open access publishing is an essential part of open science. This is an umbrella term that refers to an academic movement for increased accessibility and transparency within the whole scientific research process. In addition to universal access to research publications, proponents of open science advocate for the entire research process to be as open and transparent as possible. This includes open data, which can be freely used, reused, and redistributed by anyone, with proper attribution. Government mandates and transformative agreements Open access is increasingly being required by public and private funders of scientific research under government mandates. Improving institutional support through transformative agreements strengthens the implementation of expanded forms of OA. Government mandates and transformative agreements have pushed academic journals and book publishers to transition from closed or hybrid access to full open access status.  Two important developments are Plan S, a coalition of European research and funding agencies, as well as the American government requiring research conducted with public funds to be published open access. Using AI In terms of technological developments, innovation is still top of mind, particularly when it comes to the use of AI. Popular tools like ChatGPT are being integrated into workflows by authors, reviewers, and publishers. There is also an emerging interest in “machine-readable” science. This refers to organizing research and publications so that they can be more easily “read” and interpreted by AI. The increased use of these kinds of tools presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI can assist with technical and organizational tasks, it cannot replace the expertise and skills of a human researcher. Human expertise must be central, with AI a clearly defined support tool rather than an authority. Any use of AI should be done with careful thought to scientific ethical standards. Continuing challenges As more publications transition to OA, the publishing industry is faced with new opportunities and challenges. As much as these trends in open access have made significant strides in addressing some of the key barriers to publishing and accessing scientific knowledge, inequalities and limitations do exist. In other words, open access is not a “silver bullet.” The expansion of OA has been most successful for those institutions in the global North, which are already well represented across disciplines. Barriers for groups in the global South still exist, especially when it comes to financial challenges, such as the cost of APCs for authors. Scholars from, for example, South Africa, Brazil, and countries in the Middle East continue to champion their cause for equitable access to publish and reuse others’ work. Today, in 2026, open access is becoming the rule, rather than the exception, for many institutions and publishers following OA mandates. Continuing trends in open access call for a sustainable, ethical publishing industry that supports the process and everyone involved. Join SciProfiles to find other researchers who publish open access and connect with the research community. Last updated on: July 25, 2026
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SciProfiles Official

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Community Guidelines for Virtual Networking

08 August 2024

Networking

Community Guidelines for Virtual Networking

Academic virtual networking sites are important spaces for scholars to share their work and connect with others. Having a clear and intentional set of online community guidelines (CGs) helps members to navigate any problems that may arise. If you are already active in networking online, you may be familiar with standard community guidelines. Perhaps you have even created a set yourself. This article answers the question of what are community guidelines and why they are needed. Recent trends are considered, as well as some ideas on how to approach creating a set for your own platform. What are community guidelines? In any kind of community, valuing each member and ensuring everyone treats each other with respect is a common value. Creating an environment that promotes positive and collegial interactions is at the core of academic networking. When it comes to professional networking online, community guidelines set clear expectations so that users can have the best possible experience. They create a structure for users to engage with each other. In addition, they outline best practices and standard expectations, including when conflicts may arise. Scholars sharing virtual networking space with each other promotes discussion and collaboration. Academic networking sites for researchers nurture meaningful relationships and productive dialogue. They also foster a broader sense of responsibility to uphold ethical standards in all aspects of scientific research. Why community guidelines are needed Community guidelines offer guidance and protection to users as well as the platform itself. In particular, they should ensure privacy and equal treatment for everyone. In addition to outlining ideal behaviours, CGs should clearly state that there is zero tolerance for bullying and harassment. Repercussions for breaking any rules, such as plagiarizing work and illegal activity, should also be communicated. CGs help to communicate a platform’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. When implemented properly, scholars can discuss ideas with each other more freely. The more positive experiences users have, the more time they will spend on the site. Users and online community guidelines Users should always review CGs before signing up. Agreeing to them is typically part of a membership agreement with the site. They should be easy to read and understand for anyone interested in joining. Users also benefit from community guidelines as much as the platform. They create a base standard for participating safely and securely. Scholars can be sure that their needs are being considered by those in charge. By avoiding negative behaviours, users can feel comfortable within the relevant guidelines. In addition, scholars can encourage good etiquette in others. Members of the platform benefit from working with each other because it encourages a collaborative mindset while networking online. Recent trends in networking online Now that we have answered the question of what are community guidelines in this context, here we consider some of the recent trends in professional networking online. Likely the most significant trend in technology in general has been the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This offers more automation of administrative tasks, but it is the real human expertise that makes networking with scholars so valuable. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative technologies have enabled those who cannot attend events in person to do so online. It is common now for conferences, panels, meetings, and networking events to be entirely virtual or hybrid, hosted by a virtual platform. Finally, as mainstream social media has become part of so many aspects of our lives, scholars are also participating more in personal branding. A public online presence for both professional and personal social media requires more work and risks than keeping it to a minimum. SciProfiles community guidelines Virtual etiquette on an academic networking site like SciProfiles is typically different from more mainstream social media sites, like TikTok or X. For example, SciProfiles’s community guidelines outline the necessity for an authentic, secure, and collegial environment. Our global platform attracts users across scientific disciplines in an inclusive and collaborative environment. SciProfiles’ online community guidelines reflect our commitment to the principles of open science. Finally, no illegal or dangerous content is permitted, and there are ways to report any content that may go against these guidelines. Creating your own guidelines If it is your first time working on CGs, you might be unsure of where to start. Or, if you are working with a group of people, there might be some points of disagreement. There are a few important things to keep in mind when you are creating CGs. First is to build community guidelines around the mission of your organization. This helps users to understand the values that make up the space. It’s also important to differentiate between positive and negative behaviours on the platform. This way, users then have a clear sense of what is expected. Also include what will happen when a member breaks a rule, and how the situation can be remedied. Being open to receiving feedback also helps to build a collegial environment. On academic networking sites, most of the content is created by members themselves. So, if a platform feels too restrictive or punitive, users may actually leave the site altogether. Community guidelines ensure that everyone involved feels comfortable enough to participate. The more intentional platforms are in shaping these virtual spaces, the better the experience will be for users. It does take some time and effort to put together a set of community guidelines. But, this work is an important part of building an academic community. A tailored and intentional approach to building a thriving academic space is best. Last updated on: July 25, 2026
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What is ORCID (and Why Should You Use It)?

11 July 2024

Navigating Your CareerPlatform Features

What is ORCID (and Why Should You Use It)?

Since the ORCID program was launched in 2012, it has become an essential resource for academic publishing. With over 14 million registrations currently, ORCID has increased digital accessibility, enabling more streamlined management of scholarly communication across disciplines. While you may be generally familiar with the term, you might still be wondering, “What is ORCID exactly?” This article will define and explain more about what the ORCID iD is and the benefits of registering. It will also provide a step-by-step guide to signing up and linking your OCRCID to your SciProfiles account. What is ORCID? The amount of academic research available online is tremendous. Especially with the mainstreaming of open access academic publishing, scholars need tools to help store and manage their own academic materials and to make them accessible to others. The ORCID system is a centralized catalogue that allows readers to easily access research from throughout a scholar’s career. Essentially, it helps others to find your academic research and you to find theirs. ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID, or ORCID iD) is a free, unique, persistent identifier that stores an individual’s academic outputs, all in one virtual location. The Open Researcher Contributor Identification Initiative was developed to ensure that credit for academic work is attributed properly. In particular, the repetition of names in the academic community globally can make it very difficult to distinguish whose work is whose. In addition, any name changes during a person’s lifetime, which can happen for a lot of different reasons, can further the confusion. Registering ensures that the same ORCID iD follows you, even if you change names, institutions, or geographic locations. This way, the system ensures that the right people are getting credit for their work. You don’t have to worry about trying to keep track of everything manually or about transferring over your information if you change affiliations. Why should you use ORCID? Now that we’ve answered the question of “What is ORCID?”, we will consider why you register for one and use it in your scholarly communications. Given the acceleration of open science and open access publishing globally, academic research is more accessible to the public than ever. With increases in open access mandates from governments and publicly funded research institutes, more people than ever are engaging with scientific research. The ORCID system ensures that authors can be properly identified and their work attributed to them. Once you register, you will receive an ORCID iD number that you can share with others. The ORCID system makes academic research more accessible and discoverable, which enhances potential reach and impact. In addition to your digital name identifier, with your registration, you will also receive an electronic ORCID record. This is like an extended CV and includes, for example, a short biography, education and employment history, publications, professional activities and associations, and funding received. The record is a living document of your career that you update as you gain experience and achievements. Using your ORCID account also reduces the labour of manually filling out forms and sharing data between different documents and datasets. It helps you to manage your work across different institutions, workflows, and online platforms. Register with ORCID If you are a scholar publishing in your field, you’ll know that getting your work out into the world is an exciting and challenging process. Linking your research to your professional webpage and social networking sites is a simple way to ensure that your work is accessible. It’s quick, easy, and free to register. Link your ORCID iD to SciProfiles Once you have registered, you can begin linking your ORCID to the different platforms you use. To include ORCID on your SciProfiles page specifically, use the simple steps below: Log on to SciProfiles. Click on the small gear icon (⚙) at the top right corner of the screen. Choose “Edit My Profile” to go to your Basic Info page. Click “Verify ORCID”. Log in to your ORCID account and authorize MDPI to access it. Your ORCID is now linked to your page, like a “one-stop shop” for your research materials. As you continue with your academic and publication journey on SciProfiles, this will make it easier for others to follow along and access your work. And, if others ever ask you, “What is ORCID?”, now you can share what you know. Last updated on: July 25, 2026
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Why You Need A Profile Picture (and How to Upload One)

06 June 2024

Platform Features

Why You Need A Profile Picture (and How to Upload One)

Every time you start a new social media account, one of the first things you will be asked to do is upload a profile picture. Given just how many people may view your profiles online, it’s worth it to take a bit of time to select the image that will best represent you. Today in 2026, using social media for virtual networking is a big part of our personal and professional lives. More and more, we have to consider our online presence and how we would like to present ourselves to others. This article will explain why a profile picture is important and why you need one. It will also provide some ideas on how you can choose the best one for your account and target audience. It will also go through the steps for how to upload a profile picture for your SciProfiles account. Why uploading a profile picture is important As academic virtual networking platforms have expanded, it has created new opportunities for researchers to connect and share ideas. Maintaining an active account on popular academic online platforms helps to build relationships and community that further the reach and impact of scientific research. But with so many profiles and information online, you only have a second or two to make a first impression. Virtual networking helps scholars to get a sense of who a person is based on their social media. So, the image you choose becomes the representation of you, your online presence, and your in-person work. Simply having a profile photo uploaded indicates to others that you are a “real” person (not a bot) who welcomes engagement. This can make the difference between someone clicking on your profile or scrolling past it. In addition, not uploading a profile picture communicates a lack of effort, which is not something you want others to associate with you and your work. Having a good online profile picture helps to draw in people you hope to connect with. It can generate more page views and more meaningful engagement. A consistent and strong online presence can translate into goodwill in other contexts. The so-called “halo” effect, for example, suggests that presenting yourself as confident and sure in yourself can make others view you more positively in general. This also helps with your public presence, as others are more easily able to recognize you, whether online or in person. It gets your face out there, making it easier for people to approach you if they spot you at an academic event. What makes a good online profile photo When virtual networking or using social media, you might already have a photo or two that you regularly use. Or maybe you are looking to change it up and create something new. Either way, here are some suggestions for how to create a good profile picture. A good profile picture should be a good-quality image of yourself that presents you as a friendly and approachable person. This will help to communicate that you are welcoming of engagement. It should help the viewer to make a more personal and authentic connection with you. The key is to be intentional with how you present yourself. You want to make the right impression with the right people. When thinking about what image might represent you best, consider the likely thousands of profiles that you have viewed online over the years. What draws you to some over others? Which images appeal to you the most and why? Assessing your own perceptions can help you to understand how others may respond to you. Depending on the platform and the specific context, it’s a good idea to have a couple of different profile photos available to upload. You can tailor your profile photo to the specific context or target audience. A professional, polished image for your boss, and something more personal or sentimental for your social network. You may already have a professional headshot taken for academic purposes that you can upload as a profile picture. Some institutions have professional headshots taken of scholars under various circumstances or at official events. But in most cases, you are on your own in terms of planning and execution. If you don’t have any good options yet, don’t panic. With today’s technology, you can likely put together a profile picture to upload pretty quickly using your phone, tablet, digital camera, or another device. How to upload a profile picture to SciProfiles When you first register with SciProfiles and activate your account, you will be prompted to upload a profile picture. It takes under a minute to do if you already have a photo chosen and ready to go. You can set up your profile picture in just a few simple steps: Sign in to your SciProfiles account. Click your avatar on the top left of the “Home” or “My Profile” page. Select “Upload Photo” to select the photo you have chosen (maximum allowable size of 5.12 MB). Select “Apply” to upload the photo to your profile. Once you have done this, your profile photo should be immediately visible. You can now start checking your profile and posting content on your page. Going forward, you can upload a new profile picture at any time. Hopefully this article has given you some direction on how to take some photos for a new account, or to spruce up the pages you already use. Last updated on: July 25, 2026
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Zoë Gross

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