Thesis
State clearly why your research matters and what perspective you bring.
A professional academic digital identity with a flagship website in under 3 weeks
- Not an online CV
- Clear, polished, and memorable presence
- A digital argument for “Why you?”
- Backed by evidence from your career
Tailored by an ex-academic who understands academics.
Why a simple CV isn’t enough
A CV lists facts; decision-makers skim for a thesis. Without structure and interpretation, key signals are lost.
- Department pages → stale & fragmented. Hard to update, inconsistent formatting, buried links; credibility erodes.
- DIY templates → generic outputs. Tools provide blocks, not argument; the result is style without synthesis.
- CV dumps → high friction. Walls of text, no hierarchy; readers cannot infer impact or through-line.
- Consequences → missed opportunities. Fewer inquiries from students, collaborators, funders; weaker first impression.
A website is a scholarly argument
Academics persuade with ideas, not decoration. Your website should function like a paper: it advances a thesis, supports it with evidence, and leads readers through a deliberate structure.
Evidence
Show the publications, grants, collaborations, and teaching that support your claim.
Structure
Arrange content to guide readers logically toward trust and engagement.
When thesis, evidence, and structure align, your website becomes a persuasive digital identity—not a static CV.
What I provide
A four-part, research-informed build process that turns raw academic materials into a persuasive digital presence.
Academic Translation
Turn CVs, papers, and course materials into plain-language narratives that highlight impact.
- Messaging workshop
- Audience mapping
Professional Build
Design and engineer a performant, owner-friendly site—version-controlled and platform-agnostic.
- Custom design system
- Responsive, accessible codebase
Lean Delivery
Ship only what you need: lightweight, accessible, analytics-ready, and easy to extend.
- Performance budget
- Analytics + SEO foundations
Stress-Free Collaboration
One kick-off call, clear milestones, async check-ins, and delivery in weeks—not months.
- Timeline: 2–3 weeks
- Asynchronous reviews
Prefer to skim deliverables? Jump to Ways we can work together or book a consult.
Book a consultProject spotlight
Ryan O’Loughlin — Philosopher of Science
We transformed Ryan’s static CV page into a narrative-driven site with clear paths for students, collaborators, and journalists.
Before
- Dense text hides Ryan’s thesis and current work.
- No pathways for students, collaborators, or media.
- No identity other than employment.
After
- Main thesis states his research focus and primary audience.
- Audience pathways guide different visitor types.
- Evidence panels surface publications, projects, and teaching highlights.
- Custom interactive game invites visitors to engage with his research.
About me
I’m Dan Li, a dual-PhD, former tenure-track professor, and peer-reviewed researcher. I build scholar websites the way we build arguments: thesis, evidence, structure.
Want more examples? Ask during our consult and I’ll share additional spotlights or Git access.
Frequently asked doubts
Can’t I just use Squarespace or Wix?
Templates save time, but most faculty spend 20+ hours learning interfaces, writing copy, and reorganizing CVs. I save you time and deliver a tailored result rooted in academic communication.
Isn’t a CV enough?
A CV lists facts. A strong website builds an argument. It shows your impact, connects your work, and persuades visitors why it matters.
Do I own my site?
Yes. You receive all code and assets. No proprietary builder, no lock-in — update or extend it however you choose.
Ways we can work together
Choose the tier that matches your academic trajectory—each delivers a clear win with minimal effort from you.
Launch
For grad students & early-career scholars who need to look professional fast.
Outcome: Polished one-page academic presence delivered in 1–2 weeks.
You get
- Single-page site spotlighting research, teaching, and contact
- Mobile-ready build with analytics
- CV distilled into clear, persuasive narrative copy
- Tailored for job seekers
- Customized typography and color to stand out
- One revision round within three business days
Why it matters
- Avoid the DIY-template look
- Signal credibility for jobs, fellowships, collaborators
- Launch without losing time to tools or tech
Starts at
$900
Book Launch consult
Or $0 down, $99/month for a 12-month contract that includes monthly update.
Establish
For ambitious early- and mid-career scholars who want to stand out.
Outcome: Persuasive 4–5-page academic identity delivered in 2–3 weeks.
Includes everything in Launch +
- Custom page architecture tuned to committees, collaborators, media
- Narrative strategy turning CV data into thesis → evidence → impact
- Integrated highlights for publications, projects, media/talks
- Two revision rounds (≤3 business-day turnarounds)
Why it matters
- Structure reflects your message—not a generic template
- Right audiences see the right signals at the right time
- Clarity and polish in competitive fields
Starts at
$2,500
Book Establish consult
Or $0 down, $249/month for a 12-month contract that includes monthly update and custom domain name.
Elevate
For senior faculty, labs, and centers showcasing accomplishments & attracting opportunities.
Outcome: Flagship multi-audience site delivered in 4–5 weeks.
Includess everything in Establish +
- Custom homepage + 5–7 subpages structured around lab/center priorities
- Audience pathways designed for students, collaborators, funders, media
- Optional custom features: interactive visuals, data views, or light apps
- Custom domain setup and launch support
- Four revision rounds + quarterly update sessions for one year
Why it matters
- Showcase complex work with clarity and intent
- Guide each visitor toward the actions that matter
- Attract talent, funders, and media with a flagship presence
Starts at
$6,000
Request Elevate scope
Hand me the CV. I’ll take care of the rest.
Ownership & performance: you own all code (Git-versioned). Sites are lightweight, accessible, and optimized for fast loads.
Let’s get in touch
Your research, teaching, and professional identity deserve more than a departmental listing or a cluttered DIY page. I help you create a clear, professional, and compelling digital presence — in weeks, not months.
Prefer another channel? Mention it in your email and I’ll accommodate.