Research Beyond the Ivory Tower: how scholars can establish their influence by publishing.

For generations dissertations were merely formal academic texts to be passed and receive a degree. Upon completion, the work itself often remained unseen, sitting somewhere inside a university or library, on institutional networks, and access only to a few individuals.

Today that perception has changed dramatically.

Our society values expert opinion more than it ever has. Industries need innovation. Businesses seek out evidence-based solutions. Governments rely on research-informed policy suggestions. The public is desperate for intelligent sources capable of clarifying difficult concepts. With so many parties in need, there's never been a better time to be a researcher, but that's contingent on your ability to communicate your ideas effectively.

The dissertation is not simply a means to an end; it is a statement that you possess specific expertise and intellectual rigor and are analytical and capable of examining an issue with depth and insight. And that is something incredibly valuable to be recognized outside the university.

Yet many researchers fail to capitalize on the value of their own research.

The primary problem that affects researchers is visibility. The value of excellent research is lost because most scholars simply don't focus on the communication part, the part that gets their research beyond the university gates and into the mainstream. The academic system values precision, but it rarely has much to say about developing an authority and establishing an influence.

This is where publishing enters.

Publishing helps your ideas escape the academic world and become part of a public conversation. Research that remains confined will have little influence, whereas research that gets seen can shape industries, influence policy, spur innovation, and generate career advancement opportunities.

The idea of publishing is no longer solely comprised of writing and sending off to an academic journal. A researcher can publish an article, a book, a research report for an industry, a blog, a web seminar, a podcast, a newsletter, a course or even a conference presentation to share their findings to a wider audience.

Each medium works in its own way.

Academic articles promote scholarly credentials, a book establishes authority, digital publications can serve to broaden audience reach, and thought leadership articles in various venues can serve to build visibility with companies and professionals alike. All of these mediums can be put to work together to generate influence.

Writing Style is Also Important:

Many researchers fail to be noticed due to overly technical prose. While academic writing is appropriate in scholarly forums, it can be far too jargony for professionals and the general public. Researchers who can make complex concepts easy to understand can strengthen their work without diluting their message.

It is also crucial for researchers in today's environment to actively promote themselves and build a professional brand.

In the current climate expertise without visibility rarely receives the notice it warrants. Those who make an effort to present at conferences, share information online, contribute guest articles and join professional organizations are quickly recognized as thought leaders in their fields.

Recognition of this kind, leads to other, sustained opportunities.

Researchers who make an effort to publish are frequently invited to keynote conferences, offer consulting services, collaborate with other academics or institutions, conduct training programs, speak to the media and accept appointments at various organizations. Building a reputation over time inevitably creates influence.

In addition, the internet has somewhat democratized the ability to gain visibility and achieve scholarly recognition even for those who aren't associated with prestigious institutions. A researcher is able to build credibility internationally simply by regularly posting new content and engaging with people on the web.

Nevertheless, many academics underestimate the value and potential impact of their own research. They often wait until they achieve a level of perfection that will never be attainable, or they simply deem their research too niche or unremarkable. The truth is, specialized expertise is precisely what so many entities are looking for.

Ultimately, in the current intellectual landscape, knowledge coupled with communication skills is what will provide long-term advantage. A dissertation should not just be about its completion, but also about initiating the process of building a reputation and creating influence.

Read More