The Faculty of Journalism at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) has organised a virtual research seminar for lecturers at the Institute to help enhance their research and publication skills.

Professor Dan Berkowitz, an Emeritus Professor from the University of Iowa in the United States was the guest speaker. 

The accomplished scholar has 50 individual academic publications to his credit and over 60 conference presentations.

He is the recipient of seven top paper awards from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and the International Communication Association.

Lecturers spanning different faculties at GIJ participated in the seminar.

Professor Berkowitz introduced participants to the four-paragraph model for writing research. He also took questions from participants in lively intellectual discourse.

The idea for the research seminar was mooted and put together by GIJ Lecturer Dr Etse Sikanku from the Faculty of Journalism.

Emeritus Professor Berkowitz was Dr Sikanku's former Professor at the University of Iowa where he earned his doctorate degree.

The Dean of the faculty, Diana Hayman-Adu said the seminar has contributed immensely in increasing the knowledge and skills of faculty members when it comes to academic publications.

She expressed appreciation to Professor Berkowitz for the enriching experience.

GIJ hopes to make the research seminars a permanent feature in order to encourage and inspire a vibrant research culture at the institution.