Researchers urged to make academic work useful beyond journals

The University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED) urged researchers to make academic work useful beyond journals during a special training workshop organized by USTED's Publication Board. USTED stated that research funded with public money should not remain hidden behind academic journals or expensive paywalls, and researchers should communicate their findings in language ordinary people can understand and use. Prof Isaac Boateng, USTED's Pro Vice Chancellor, said at the workshop, "Research that is not communicated effectively is knowledge in prison."

Prof Boateng also stated that research should not be judged only by the number of papers published or citations received, but by the impact it creates in society. He urged researchers to see communication as an important part of the research process rather than something considered after publication, adding, "Do not measure success only by publication. Measure success by transformation." Dr Christopher Owusu-Ansah, Chairman of the USTED Publication Board, said the workshop was organized due to the gap between research produced by universities and the wider public.