The Sistars Project, in collaboration with Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN), has empowered emerging researchers, scholars, and among others to expand their research reach and influence. In today’s digital world, one of the biggest challenges faced by researchers is gaining visibility for their work.

The one-day workshop hosted by the organizations aimed at equipping participants with essential skills to enhance their research visibility and effectively share their findings with a broader audience.

The workshop also addressed a critical need for researchers especially how to break down complex research into easily understandable, and engaging content.

With the rise of digital platforms, it’s no longer enough to simply publish research in academic journals; researchers must also find ways to amplify their voices online. The workshop provided hands-on training that guided participants through creating online profiles, establishing an online presence, and leveraging multimedia platforms like LinkedIn, social media, podcasts, videos, and even Wikipedia.

Principal Investigator (PI) of the Sistars Project, Dr. Adelina Mensah, emphasized the importance of making research accessible to the public. "We want young researchers to be able to present their findings in a way that the public can understand and take action upon," she explained.

Dr. Mensah highlighted that the training was designed to give participants the confidence to navigate social media platforms and communicate their research in a more effective and engaging manner.

She added, “The basis for today’s training is to teach researchers how social media works and what you need to do to communicate your research differently. We want them to rethink how they present their findings and expand their approach beyond traditional academic channels."

Dr. Mensah also encouraged participants to form support teams, collaborate on assignments, and provide constructive feedback to each other. "It’s important that they work together, correct each other’s mistakes, and improve as a group for the greater good," she said.

Country Director for CDKN and a key figure in the training, Dr. Prince Ansah, also spoke about the importance of disseminating emerging research. "Issues that emerge from research are very important and can help solve the problems we face in this country. That’s why it’s crucial to find spaces where we can share this research so that researchers, policymakers, and the public can all benefit from it," he stated.

Dr. Ansah encouraged researchers to establish platforms, websites, and personal profiles on social media to share their work. "It’s essential that researchers translate their findings into narratives that are easily understood by diverse audiences," he added.

The participants of the training expressed their gratitude for the valuable insights and skills they gained.

MPhil student Abigail Ofori from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ghana shared how the workshop would help her simplify her research. "Computer science is a bit technical, but this workshop has taught me how I can tell a story from my research and update my social media handles to reach a broader audience," she said.

A final-year MPhil student in Social Psychology at the University of Ghana, Emmanuel Abrakwa, also spoke highly of the workshop. "The training has exposed me to the critical skills I need to consider when preparing my research for an audience. I now understand how to communicate my work in ways that resonate with people beyond academia."

The Sistars Project, and CDKN said they would continue to make strides in empowering young researchers to amplify their voices, increase their visibility, and make a greater impact in solving pressing societal challenges.