In this article, research scholar Dr. Andrea G. Leonelli explains how your dissertation can have more value than you think, from being a research scholar to being a published author.

All of the dissertations have a story of commitment. Every research paper, every chapter, every citation, every analysis is the result of years of intellectual work, sacrifice, discipline and curiosity. Scientists invest many hours collecting data, testing out ideas, analyzing information and formulating new ideas. But even with all this effort, the majority of dissertations never get the recognition that they deserve.

Many academic projects are submitted and evaluated, and only partially enter the world of academic publications, eventually being left behind in university repositories to be overlooked by the general public. Great and good ideas are often contained in academic institutions rather than being disseminated to industries, professions, business and community where they may be useful.

It's here that many researchers are missing the opportunity in their own research.

Today's viewers are looking for information that is written by experts. Individuals are looking for reliable data, analytic thinking, credible information and solutions. Without the superficial content and misinformation that abounds in the world today, deep research is worth more than ever. Most dissertations already have the kind of expertise which readers are seeking.

The answer to the problem is not that there is no value, it's in the manner in which the information is presented.

Academic writing is different to that of the commercial publishing. A dissertation is a means of establishing proficiency in scholarship and research skills. The goal of a successful book is to inspire, engage and educate.

This is very important.

Academic texts are characterized by technical accuracy, theory, methodology, citations and complex language. Commercial books tend to be readable, clarify, are structured, tell a story, and are practical. People don't purchase books to read a research paper. They purchase books to learn, to solve problems, to enhance their thinking skills and to find practical ideas to use in everyday life.

That's why re-writing is more important than editing.

There are many researchers who think, they can shorten their dissertation, replace some of the headings and publish it as a book. In fact, it is not adaptation but transformation that is needed for a successful adaptation. It may be necessary to get rid of long literature reviews. The technical jargon needs to be made easier and more colloquial. Theoretical discussions should be followed by more comprehensible explanations using examples and experiences.

A successful book based on a dissertation will be intellectually rigorous, and will make the work much more accessible.

Another key element to successful publishing is determination of the main result of the research. Not all parts of a dissertation will be of interest to the general public. The authors need to highlight the best, most relevant and most striking idea in their writing.

The reader will gravitate to those books that can help him/her to solve a problem or understand a given topic better. The research can be on any interests, ranging from business, psychology, education, healthcare, leadership, economics, technology or social change, and its aim is to make the reader see why these ideas are relevant to the world beyond academia.

Writing should always begin, proceed and end with the audience.

For instance, workplace behavior research would be of interest to managers and HR. Schools or institutions may be interested in the study on the topic of educational innovation. Studies conducted in mental health or social issues can be appealing to a wider audience. When deciding on the book's style, marketing, and other aspects, the author should know for whom the book will be written.

Today, publishing a book opens up professional career opportunities that well surpass the career opportunities of royalties. A book serves as a credibility building tool. It places researchers as thought leaders and experts in their field, as consultants and speakers for their industries. It adds to the professional image and builds authority that academic degrees don't always have the power to convey.

In fact, many professionals make a ton of money from the visibility they elicit by one of their successful books.

Digital publishing has also revolutionized the way authors can be reached. It is not solely a traditional publishing house that can now reach the readers. Authors can directly engage with readers around the world via self-publishing sites, online branding, podcasts, webinars, social media, LinkedIn articles and digital communities.

It is not enough to publish your work, it now has to be visible. Great book would never get far without great positioning and audience engagement. Researchers who actively engage in the dissemination of research results, are involved in discussions, and establish their professional profile well, tend to have much more successful publications.

Several important attributes of the most successful books that have been written from dissertations are similar. They are accessible, readable, engaging, solution oriented and highly relevant to real world problems. They do not over-simplify intelligence, they just make complex ideas simpler.

Most importantly, they enable research to make a difference: impact.

A dissertation should not be considered as the completion of an academic career. It can be the start of a book, a professional platform, a global voice and an intellectual legacy in many ways.

The most valuable knowledge is when it becomes effective outside of institutions and has real-world impact.

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