For Researchers

Pioneering the Future of Digital Literature Research

 

At The Inkfluencer, we're not just building a platform; we're forging a unique, real-world laboratory at the intersection of literature, social media influence, and e-commerce. Our proprietary AI platform generates a dynamic, real-time dataset that offers unparalleled opportunities for academic inquiry into the mechanisms of digital influence, market trends, and the future of creative industries.

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Bridging the Data Gap

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The explosive growth of BookTok and Bookstagram has transformed book discovery and sales, yet traditional publishing data often lacks the granular insights needed to truly understand this digital-first ecosystem. We address this critical data gap by integrating raw, public social media data with our first-party transactional data. This unique, attributable data asset provides:

• Direct Influencer-to-Sales Attribution: Quantifying precisely how specific social media content drives direct book sales.

• Real-time Trend Identification: Proactively identifying emerging genres, tropes, and micro-niches as they develop.

• Nuanced Audience Demographics: Providing a deep understanding of highly engaged digital communities.

This comprehensive, dynamic view of the digital book market is a goldmine for academic inquiry and smart data research.

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Collaborative Research Avenues: Aligning with UKRI Funding

 

We actively seek partnerships with academic researchers for projects aligned with major UKRI funding opportunities. Our platform and data are particularly relevant for:

• Smart Data Research UK Fellowships: This fellowship focuses on innovative, impact-driven research using smart data. We offer avenues for investigation into quantifying digital influence, predicting emerging literary trends, and assessing the socio-economic impact of digital book communities.

• UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships: This prestigious fellowship supports ambitious, multi-year research led by emerging leaders. As a UK business, The Inkfluencer is eligible to host fellows. We present opportunities for foundational AI research, longitudinal studies of the creator economy, and data-driven intellectual property (IP) valuation.

 

Why Partner with The Inkfluencer?

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Partnering with us offers academic researchers a distinctive advantage:

• Unique Data Access: A live, growing dataset of BookTok and Bookstagram activity combined with direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales, providing an unmatched real-world laboratory for research.

• Real-World Problem Context: Direct engagement with the challenges faced by authors and influencers, ensuring your research is grounded in practical relevance.

• Domain Expertise: Our team, including our founder who is a self-published author, offers invaluable industry insights and validation.

• Technical Collaboration: Potential partnership with our software development subcontractor, Engine Creative, for technical expertise in AI implementation.

 

Connect with Our Academic Network

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We invite academic researchers and departments at UK universities—particularly those focused on AI, data science, digital humanities, media studies, economics, and sociology—to connect with us.

If you are an academic interested in pioneering research at the intersection of AI and the creative economy, we welcome the opportunity to discuss potential collaborations for upcoming UKRI grant applications.

Join our Academic Research Partner waiting list to be the first to hear about specific opportunities and connect with our team!