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What is RSS?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a way to receive updates for various websites. You can subscribe to a RSS feed and have the updates delivered via an RSS feed reader.

The following icons indicate that an RSS feed is available in databases, journals, news sites and webpages:

Feed reader software allows you to gather your RSS feeds together to read later. RSS feed readers are available for different platforms. Feed data may be opened on PCs, MACs, and using apps on mobile devices.

• Feedly provides access to RSS feeds via a web browser, also apps for Apple and android devices.
• Top Windows RSS Feed Readers and News Aggregators
• Microsoft Outlook may be used as a RSS feed reader with updates delivered to the RSS Feeds, folder in your Outlook account.

How to use Outlook as your feed reader:

1. Right click on the RSS icon on the website.
2. Select the copy link / shortcut option available in your browser.
3. Right click on the RSS Subscriptions folder in Outlook. You'll find it below the Outbox and Quarantine folders.
4. Select Add a New RSS Feed ... from the menu. Paste the URL into the box that pops up.
5. Click Add, then click Yes to add the URL to the RSS Subscription folder.

Podcasts may also be a supplementary way to keep up to date. Details of new podcasts can be sent via RSS feed, iTunes, a podcast app, or an app for the specific organisation.

Locating academic podcasts:

• On academic life
  • 15 minutes to help your research career "practical tips and insights for researchers looking to develop their career".
  • Changing Academic Life "practical insights into how to play the academic game in a more sustainable way".
  • PLOScast: Podcasts of interviews from The Public Library of Science (PLoS).
     
• On topics in a discipline
  • Academic Podcast Roundup: Browse podcasts by subject area.
  • Ideas on Fire: Tools for the progressive academic.
  • Podcasts: from The Conversation: Academic rigour, journalistic flair.
  • Productivity 501: A list of 145 free podcasts of university lectures.
  • Podcasts by the University of Oxford. These cover a range of topics.

Making your own academic podcasts:

• The art of the academic podcast by Arizona State University.
• How to produce a podcast by UACES The academic association for contemporary European Studies.
• Why academic podcasts are much more valuable than people realise.