The Lost potential of academic research: The Hidden Power within Your thesis.

 For decades, the standard advice to student was that a thesis was the final part of one's education; submit your topic, write it up, defend it and then archive it. This part was seen as the conclusion.

However, the thesis itself is often the most valuable part you'll ever create.

 A thesis is more than just a report, or compilation of chapters that is judged and graded then filed. It represents many years of study, research and insight and unique, specialist knowledge, held by very few. However, even after such commitment, the research still remains 'shelf-bound' for most institutions and unseen by those who can make use of the knowledge gained from the years of study, as well as those who can profit from the information within.

This is where the system needs to change.

The old approach was about completion rather than dissemination of knowledge, about writing something to get the degree, rather than something of use or relevance beyond that point. Thousands of new and invaluable ideas are consequently lost within institutions and the knowledge they contain is rarely reached by those in business and industries who require them.

However, the outside world of business and industry has moved on significantly.

We now live in a knowledge-driven, specialized society where experience and understanding of a subject matter is now valued far higher than other credentials. Industries are hungry for research, businesses demand research-based information and individuals crave insight from subject matter experts. Academic research, with this new economy of the mind, now holds more value than just a grade.

 The process of research commercialisation:

 The term 'research commercialisation' refers to the practice of taking academic research from written reports to something more tangible, usable, and commercially viable. Rather than let a thesis sit, unread on a shelf, a researcher can turn his/her work into anything from an article to an on-line course or a consultant framework or workshop, all designed to have a positive impact outside of the university context.

 The rise of digital technologies has, since the year 2000, created the ability for researcher to publish works outside the traditional academic journals. For example, services like Medium, LinkedIn, YouTube and the use of Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing allow any individual to gain access to the general public, creating an audience.

 Meanwhile, a trend in industries for specialisation in subject areas means that any knowledge and experience acquired, for example during a degree program (a thesis in particular), makes an individual highly valuable in sectors such as consulting, strategy and management positions. Research, if packaged properly, not only shows academic capability but can actually be more professionally beneficial than a degree.

Ultimately, it comes down to a shift in thought.

A thesis is not meant to be an endpoint in a student's education but the start of their personal and professional journey. A student's thesis has more value than the mark he/she achieves; its value is determined by its ability to disseminate knowledge, create influence and benefit the world at large.

 The era of simply writing and archiving is ending rapidly.

 The research world now belongs to those who create knowledge and share it with the world to have a significant influence.

 A thesis was not made for a university archive. It was made to create influence beyond it.

Read More: https://www.globalxpublications.com/blog/thesis-commercialization-publish-monetize