Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Science journalists have been urged to act as critical bridges, integrating research into public discourse to unlock its potential for community development.
Uchenna Ogemdi Okwuosa, founder and CEO of the South Africa-based ResearchULL (Pty) Ltd, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between journalists and researchers.
His organization, established in 2020, focuses on building systems and skills to help researchers, institutions, and communities succeed.
“We build the ecosystems that bridge the gap between academia, industry, and society through research that delivers real-world impact,” Okwuosa said.
“Science journalists play a critical role in unlocking research and its impact in communities.”
He identified science journalism as a missing link in many news outlets, a failure keenly felt in communities where studies are conducted but findings never reach the very people they affect.
Okwuosa outlined ResearchULL’s multi-pronged mission. Domestically, the organization strengthens South Africa’s research capacity by supporting postgraduate students with coaching, supervision, writing guidance, and AI-enabled skill development.
“Our aim is to build research capabilities within institutions, improving completion rates, quality, and support,” he explained.
This involves partnering with universities on joint training, writing sessions, and capacity-building programs.
The organization also drives applied research with societal impact in fields like public administration, energy transition, and community development.
Regionally, ResearchULL fosters transdisciplinary collaborations across Africa.
“Our focus is on capacity development, strengthening skills in proposal development, research design, AI literacy, and research communication,” Okwuosa said.
Initiatives include cross-country student support ecosystems and programs like the Rural Rugged Research Initiative (CubicRI), which explores digital inclusion and fintech in rural African contexts.
“We exist to revolutionize research culture in Africa,” he noted.
“We aim to fill the gaps caused by a lack of structured support and weak links between research, industry needs, and societal challenges.”
ResearchULL was among dozens of science and innovation hubs showcasing their work at the recent Science Forum in Pretoria..
The event attracted scientists, researchers, communicators, and journalists from across the continent, highlighting the growing push to make research more accessible and impactful.
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