Event Organizers: Lazarus Jambadu and Joyce Eledi Kuusaana

The journey of an Early Career Researcher (ECR) is filled with exciting discoveries, challenging obstacles, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Writing and publishing in high-impact peer- reviewed journals is fundamental to building a successful academic career. However, crafting and publishing high-quality research articles is a major challenge for many ECRs due to limited knowledge about academic writing and publication processes. The International Journal of Urban and Regional Research (IJURR) Foundation sought to overcome this challenge by funding a one-week intensive writing workshop for 20 ECRs in Ghana. The workshop was hosted between 22-26th July 2024 at the Simon Diedong Dombo University for Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa. The workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of participants to write and publish high-quality research articles in high-impact journals, identify predatory journals and search for research career opportunities abroad. Participants were selected from Ghana, Liberia and Tanzania, targeting ECRs in the fields of urban studies, urban infrastructure, urban planning, and regional studies. The workshop blended practical writing sessions with featured presentations/lectures by seasoned researchers and academics. This provided an interactive platform for networking and exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences between ECRs and senior academics on academic writing and publications. Among other topics, participants were taught how to write academic articles, navigate the challenges of academic research, select suitable journals, avoid predatory journals, and contemporary debates and theories in urban and regional studies. Aside from academic activities, participants had the opportunity to visit the Royal Cozy Hills Hotels – one of the best and most visited tourist sites in the Upper West region of Ghana. A dinner night at the Blue Hills Hotel on the last day allowed participants to fraternize and network with their peers, senior academics, and university management to promote future career development and mentorships.

Photo 1: Dr. Alfred Dongzagla facilitating a writing session, L. Jambadu, July 24 2024.  

The impact of this workshop cannot be overemphasized. First, it has tremendously enhanced participants’ knowledge, experience, and skills in writing, selecting, and publishing in high impact peer-reviewed journals. At the end of the workshop, the participants were excited about the knowledge gained and optimistic that it would enhance their capacity to produce high impact research articles. The overall feedback from participants and the university management was overwhelmingly positive. Participants were excited about the opportunity and full of praise for the organizers and funders for the opportunity. In appreciation of the opportunity, one of the participants wrote to the organizers in the following statement: “On behalf of all participants, I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the IJURR foundation, the workshop organizers and resource persons led by Lazarus. This opportunity to participate in the recently concluded workshop has opened our eyes to our many mistakes in our research. We are grateful that the workshop was well-tailored to meet our research writing needs. As organizers of this prestigious workshop, with your high academic background and qualifications, you still found it worthy to present at our level. Your coaching is invaluable and cannot be obtained elsewhere for free. Yet, you provided it freely, including transportation, accommodation, and food; we are truly grateful. We pray that all you have invested in us will be returned to you a thousand-fold. May the grace of the Almighty God continue to be with you and bless you always” (Mr. Enock Suglo, CK Tadem University, 27th July 2024).

Photo 2: A section of participants during a writing session, L. Jambadu, July 24 2024.

Highlighting the workshop’s impact, another participant was specific about what he liked about the workshop. “I really liked the approach of the facilitators; they were down to earth. As I said in my remarks, I have attended many related workshops, and I really like the approach. It is super. I pray you get more grants to impact other earlier researchers as well” (Kennedy Atinga, SDD-UBIDS, Wa). Another participant remarked, “This workshop has been a game-changer for me. The skills I’ve gained and the connections I’ve made will undoubtedly shape my future research endeavors” (Miss Emily Boatue, Tubman University, Liberia). On part of the host university, the pro-vice chancellor was excited about the outcome of the workshop and called for further collaborations and support from IJURR to continuously build the capacity for ECRs, since they constitute a significant part of the university’s human resource. Furthermore, the workshop provided a platform for networking between participants from different countries and universities and between ECRs and senior academics, creating opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and guidance to enhance ECRs’ career growth. Moreover, this workshop’s outcomes enhance SDD-UBIDS’ international outlook as the first university in Ghana (and West Africa) to host the IJURR Foundation majority region’s workshop on academic writing for ECRs. This workshop’s success testifies to the university’s commitment to international collaborations and partnerships. Beyond the direct benefits above, the ripple effect of the workshop has exposed the tourism potential of the Upper West Region by taking participants to unique and exciting tourist sites. At these sites, participants were excited to see different wildlife, including white Lions, Ostriches, Zebras, and hippos in captive environments. They were also treated to the unique experience of a delightful lunch at the Royal Cozy Hills Hotel, popularly called ‘Jirapa-Dubai’. These experiences promote the regions’ tourism potential and contribute to the sector’s development.

Photo 3: Participants at a Zoo at Royal Cozy Hills Hotel, Jirapa, L. Jambadu, July 26 2024.

In conclusion, the IJURR Foundation’s workshop for ECRs has proven to be a strong support system for enhancing the capacity of ECRs. It provided a platform for learning, networking, and internationalization of ECRs by exposing them to various global career opportunities. As these ECRs return to their respective institutions and projects, they carry an invaluable set of new skills, fresh perspectives, and a strong network of peers and mentors they can stand on their shoulders on their academic journeys. The future of urban and regional research is bright, thanks to initiatives like the IJURR foundation majority regions workshop for ECRs. The overwhelming success of this workshop demonstrates the significant importance and relevance to both the participants and organizers and testify how such opportunities are needed in the global south, especially Africa. We are grateful to the IJURR foundation and SDD-UBIDS for this great opportunity and call for more support for other ECRs in this regard. Although this workshop did not cover the role of AI in academic writing, we think that future workshops should consider it an important topic in academic writing and publishing. This recommendation is particularly relevant, considering that the use of AI in academic writing has increasingly generated excitement and controversy among researchers about ethics and misuse.