This book is a comprehensive, practical guide to successful academic research. Drawing on lived experiences across a variety of academic disciplines and commercial practice, Jim Macnamara illustrates the many successes, challenges and failures involved in academic research. In the ever-changing higher education environment, Macnamara examines different educational institutions, structures, systems, positions, and career paths to demonstrate how to get into and build an academic research career. Chapters utilise case studies, research reporting, tips, and personal reflections to explore how to find and broaden your academic niche, innovative ways to gain research funding, and how to write, publish, disseminate, and teach your work. The book aims to support academics in a world of university-industry engagement and partnerships, diversification of research funding, research translation and commercialization of research outputs. It provides crucial analysis of the impact academic research has on industry and professional practices, public policy, and society. With particular attention paid to disciplinary research budgets, conventions, and practices, this book will be invaluable to students and scholars across the social sciences looking to begin and build their research careers.