How can one find relevant research groups or teams in a specific discipline?

Identifying relevant research groups necessitates systematic exploration of academic resources and networks. Several effective methods exist to locate teams aligned with a specific disciplinary focus. Key strategies involve utilizing institutional websites for departments and research centres, consulting academic databases (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science) to trace prominent authors and publication clusters, examining the membership and activities of scholarly associations, leveraging professional networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, ResearchGate), and reviewing the editorial boards and recent publications in leading discipline-specific journals. Precautions include verifying the group's current activity status and research alignment through recent outputs and funding. Implementation involves sequential steps: First, define your specific sub-discipline and research interests. Next, search university department websites and dedicated research institute pages. Concurrently, conduct literature reviews using databases to identify frequently publishing authors and their institutional affiliations. Engage with relevant academic societies, attend conferences, and explore professional networks for contacts. Finally, examine group publication patterns for alignment and initiate contact via appropriate protocols to express interest. This process facilitates collaboration, resource access, and academic career development.