A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Dr. Qudus Adebayo, has urged Nigerian researchers to connect their work to global conversations and ensure that their studies resonate beyond the institutions and countries where they are based.

Adebayo, who is with the Diaspora and Transnational Studies programme of the institute, made the call in an interview with The Guardian in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The scholar said researchers could stand out internationally by producing credible, empathetic and consequential research capable of contributing to debates within their respective fields.

He said although researchers might be based in particular institutions or countries, the nature of contemporary scholarship was global, making it important for Nigerian academics to position their research within international intellectual conversations.

“For an academic to stand out, a key part is to understand that while you are based in a particular place, in a particular country or institution, your research is global. You are working in a global space.

“Standing out means you are able to connect your research to global conversation. Your work must resonate in your field of research globally,” he said.

Adebayo, whose research interests include migration, diaspora transnationalism, migration and health, and urban livelihoods, said academic integrity should remain central to research.

He said researchers must ensure that their work was truthful, empathetic and consequential, particularly in terms of its ability to contribute to improving human conditions.

According to him, academic visibility also depends largely on where researchers publish their findings, noting that scholars should target reputable international outlets within their disciplines.

He said publishing in recognised academic outlets could increase interaction with a researcher’s work and improve citations, which contribute to the measurement and ranking of scholars.

Adebayo also urged academics to take advantage of professional and academic networking platforms, including LinkedIn, ResearchGate and Academia.edu, to disseminate their research and make their work more accessible to scholars around the world.

He urged researchers to participate actively in academic conferences, noting that the increasing availability of virtual platforms had made it easier for scholars to participate in international conferences regardless of geographical location.

The research fellow also urged early-career researchers to develop a clear academic identity and establish a focused area of specialisation.

He said young scholars, especially those within their first five years after completing their PhDs, should devote considerable time to publishing, networking, sharing research ideas and building relationships with scholars in their fields.

“You have to define what you stand for, what you want to be known for, the quality of work you want to be known for. It means that you are not jumping everywhere; you have a focus,” he said.

Adebayo also urged early-career researchers to join academic communities where they could exchange ideas, collaborate and develop long-term professional relationships.

On access to research grants, he charged Nigerian scholars to understand the priorities of funding organisations and keep abreast of emerging areas of research interest.

He said funding priorities changed over time, citing COVID-19, Ebola, public health, artificial intelligence and climate change as examples of areas that had attracted varying levels of research funding at different periods.

According to him, researchers seeking grants must therefore identify what was being funded within their disciplines and continuously improve their proposals.

He urged scholars not to be discouraged by unsuccessful applications, stressing that persistence was critical to securing research funding.

“Getting funding also means you have to apply, apply and apply. You can’t take no for an answer. You have to be consistent and continue to improve yourself,” he said.