The importance of research communities: lessons from my role as an AuthorAID Community Administrator

Written by Otuto Chukwu, AuthorAID Community Administrator

As someone currently navigating academia as a doctoral researcher, I often find many researchers within and across disciplines working in siloes, for many “justifiable” reasons. I always wonder why because I personally often find the process of research design, data analysis, manuscript development, and dissemination of research findings very cumbersome. My preference would be to take an approach of “the more the merrier”. This is because my early exposure to research made me understand the importance of collaboration and building a supportive research community.

As the Community Administrator for AuthorAID, I have had the unique opportunity to observe, support, and learn from a global network of researchers, many of whom are working in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This role has made me better understand the challenges faced by researchers in LMICs. What it has also done is to help me experience the transformative power of a strong research community. Here, I share some key lessons learned from my experience with AuthorAID so far.

The power of collective support

One of the most striking aspects of the AuthorAID community is the willingness of researchers to support one another. Despite being located across different countries and continents and often working in challenging environments, members of our community actively engage with one another, by showing interest in people’s research projects and sharing resources and opportunities. For example, when Kulu requested for support with plagiarism check on the Google Discussion Group, others needing similar support, such as Sukanmi, lent their voice. A couple of members from the group such as Nazir and Wengu who had access to some plagiarism checkers offered to help. There is no gainsaying the difference this would have made to Kulu, Sukanmi and other researchers that needed this support.

This sharing of resources is particularly important for LMICs, where access to research tools, funding, and capacity building opportunities is often limited. Through AuthorAID, I have experienced how valuable peer support can be in overcoming these barriers. The spirit of collaboration is evident, and it shows the resilience and resourcefulness of researchers in LMICs, who, despite the odds, remain committed to advancing scientific knowledge.

Obaiya Utoblo, Nigeria, AuthorAID member

Enthusiasm for collaboration

Another lesson that stands out from my experience is the community’s enthusiasm for collaboration. On multiple occasions, when a member posts a request for collaboration on a research project, the response is overwhelmingly positive. For instance, when Fatimah requested for collaborators to conduct systematic reviews in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery on the Google Group Discussion Forum, she received over 60 responses on that thread. This eagerness to collaborate highlights a critical aspect of research communities: they provide a platform for researchers to connect, share ideas, and work together on projects that may otherwise be beyond their individual capacities.

Collaborating not only enhances research quality but helps researchers build networks that often lead to long-term professional relationships crucial for advancing research. This is particularly vital for early career researchers in LMICs, who may have limited access and funding to attend international conferences to meet and establish connections with peers in their field.

The generosity of AuthorAID Stewards

Another inspiring aspect of the AuthorAID community is the dedication of its stewards. AuthorAID stewards are knowledgeable and established researchers in their various fields and play important roles in strategic direction, content development and administration of AuthorAID initiatives. I have seen them generously share their time, expertise, and resources to support others in the community through mentorship, capacity building through our online courses, hosting Teatime events on various topics of interest to the community, and even evaluating mentor applications to ensure that only qualified mentors are available to our research community.

Through their efforts, researchers in LMICs have gained invaluable support in developing their skills, navigating the publication process, and enhancing the quality of their work. This generosity is not limited to technical guidance; it extends to offering moral support and encouragement, which can be particularly motivating for early career researchers facing the daunting challenges of academia.

Challenges in research and capacity building

Through my role, I have become acutely aware of the many obstacles’ researchers in LMICs face, particularly in terms of funding and support for research and capacity building. Limited access to funding restricts the ability of researchers to conduct research essential for addressing complex issues. Inadequate financial support also hampers opportunities for capacity building, such as attending workshops, conferences, or advanced training programs. I get a lot of requests in the AuthorAID mailbox for support to attend a conference or to pay article processing charges to publish in open access journals. Furthermore, the lack of institutional support for research in many LMICs means that researchers often must juggle multiple responsibilities, including teaching, administration, and clinical duties, alongside their research endeavors. I have witnessed this in the community. This high amount of workload can lead to burnout and limit the time available for conducting high quality research. It has been enlightening to see how the AuthorAID community steps in to fill some of these gaps by providing access to free resources, training, and a supportive network of peers and mentors.

But there is only so much that AuthorAID can do. That is why I feel that there is a need for more platforms like AuthorAID, or at the very least, more funding support for AuthorAID so that they can do more of the amazing work they are already doing in supporting researchers in LMICs. This will help to democratize research support and capacity building. It may also be that more platforms like AuthorAID can focus on being discipline-specific to provide more tailored support and help address some of the systemic challenges LMIC researchers face.

Nguyen Huong and colleagues, Vietnam, AuthorAID member

Barriers to accessing research

Another thing I have noticed being a community administrator is the barriers researchers in LMICs face in accessing relevant research articles. Many high-impact journals require subscriptions or charge fees for accessing full-text articles, making it difficult for researchers without institutional support or personal resources to stay updated on the latest developments in their fields. I have often had to use my institutional access to certain publishers and research repositories to help other researchers within the AuthorAID community. This experience has highlighted how these paywalls can impede not only research output but also the dissemination and application of knowledge.

Access to current research is crucial for identifying gaps in the literature, developing research questions, and contextualizing study findings within the broader scientific discourse. When researchers in LMICs are unable to access this knowledge, it limits their ability to contribute to global discussions on critical issues. AuthorAID plays an essential role in mitigating some of these challenges by promoting open access resources and advocating for equitable access to scientific knowledge.

Witnessing progress and impact

One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been witnessing the progress and impact of individuals within the AuthorAID community. Many researchers have transformed from having little or no research experience to becoming published authors with work that has been cited multiple times. To me, I believe this growth signifies hard work and determination on the part of these young researchers, and the supportive environment provided by AuthorAID. Becoming a published researcher often requires overcoming numerous obstacles including mastering research methodologies, learning how to write for academic journals, and navigating peer review and publication processes that can be complex at times. I have seen AuthorAID help young researchers blossom by providing mentorship, training, and a platform for discussion.

Conclusion

Being a Community Administrator for AuthorAID has been both enlightening and inspiring. It has taught me the value of a strong research community, especially for researchers in LMICs who face significant challenges in conducting and disseminating their work. I hope to continue to do more in this role and do the best I can to support AuthorAID. As the world of academia continues to evolve, I hope that AuthorAID can be supported much more and for similar platforms to spring up so we can continue to democratize research support for those who need it the most.

Otuto Amarauche Chukwu is a PhD candidate in Health Policy at the University of Toronto. He is a licensed pharmacist and multiple award-winning scholar and Social Impact Innovator. Otuto believes in transformational leadership and community development and has spearheaded various endeavors in this regard including co-founding MedChain Solutions to improve medicines supply chains and access to medicines. He also co-founded El Echad Foundation, a registered non-profit through which he works to empower communities through advocacy and interventions for inclusion, and improved access to education and economic opportunities. He is a Vanier and IDRC Scholar and a 40 under 40 Public Health Catalyst Awardee, a Junior Fellow at Massey College, a Mandela Washington Fellow, an associate fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society, and an Emerging Academic Awardee of the Gown Awards at the University of Toronto.

Title image: Faida Mbuya, Tanzania, AuthorAID member