If you are in academia, you probably know that successful research collaborations are vital to your career growth^（1）. Graduate students and academic veterans alike need to foster networks that can help improve their research trajectories and open new research avenues. Being a part of a network also ensures that you are aware of the latest developments in your field of research.

Unfortunately, creating and maintaining networks in academia is not a straightforward process, and there is obviously no manual for this informal and sometimes complex process. We’ve put together this article to help you navigate academic networking, breaking it down into key stages and sharing some of the best strategies for connecting with potential collaborators and keeping your existing partnerships strong.