Here's the breakdown:
* Academic (noun): This is the more general term, referring to someone who is involved in academia, such as a professor or student.
* Example: "She's a highly respected academic in the field of history."
* Academics (noun, plural): This refers to the study of academic subjects, or the people who work in academia.
* Example: "The academics at the university are working on cutting-edge research."
The specific meaning depends on the context.