Who can use blogs.ed, and how do existing users log in?

Updated

blogs.ed is the University of Edinburgh's academic blogging service for staff and students. According to the service's own site, qualifying University members can create their own blog instantly, and existing bloggers log in using EASE, the University's authentication system. The platform currently hosts 9,652 blogs and 12,358 users, so it is a shared, well-established service rather than a personal or external hosting option.

Who can use blogs.ed

The key condition is University membership. The site states that "qualifying University members can create their own blog instantly," which means the service is tied to University of Edinburgh affiliation rather than being open to the general public. The exact scope of "qualifying" is not spelled out on the page, so if you are unsure whether your status counts (for example, a visiting researcher or a recently graduated student), confirm with the service before planning a blog there.

The service is described as "Staff and student blogs for our connected learning community," which confirms its intended audience: University staff and students using blogging for teaching, learning, research, and reflection. The recent posts illustrate this range—from a doctoral supervision teaching theme to a student's notes on learning Python libraries to an international student's reflections on settling in Edinburgh.

How existing users log in

If you already have a blog on the service, the login route is straightforward:

  1. Go to blogs.ed.ac.uk.
  2. Choose the login option for existing blogs.
  3. Authenticate with your EASE credentials.

EASE is the University's central sign-in system, so you use the same university account you would for other central services. There is no separate blogs.ed password to manage.

Creating a new blog

For eligible members, the site advertises instant creation: "Qualifying University members can create their own blog instantly." The homepage provides a "Create a blog" entry point. Because the service runs on WordPress, expect the standard WordPress setup flow once your blog is provisioned—choosing a title, address, and visibility settings.

Support and community

The service does not leave users to figure out WordPress alone. The site offers a "Get help" section covering creating or updating a blog and learning WordPress more generally. It also points to two channels for staying in touch: a public Microsoft Teams team and a mailing list for news and announcements about the Academic Blogging Service.

What to keep in mind

  • Views are the author's own. The site notes that views expressed in hosted media belong to the contributors and are not endorsed by the University. If you are blogging in an official capacity, that distinction matters.
  • It is a shared network. With thousands of blogs and users, you are publishing within a University community space, not on a private island. The "View all public blogs" and network-wide search options reflect that.
  • WordPress knowledge helps. Since the platform is WordPress-based, familiarity with WordPress will make setup and maintenance easier; the help resources are there if you are new to it.

In short: if you are a qualifying University of Edinburgh member, you can set up a blog immediately and sign in later via EASE; if you are outside the University, this is not the platform for you.