Lost in translation? Not for these researchers

Can a single concussion increase the risk of criminal behaviour? What might be a better tax approach to reduce pollution in Auckland? Do certain social media influencers have more sway than others?

These were a few of the questions at the heart of some of the winning entries in the Aotearoa Business and Economics Research Translation Competition 2023, which challenges academics from business schools around the country to translate their findings into articles of less than 750 words.

Researchers are asked to demonstrate the relevance of their research, articulating their knowledge and findings in a way that’s accessible to the average reader.

Breaking down a 4000-5000-word, often very technical journal article into a captivating yet easy-to-read 750-worder isn’t easy, but this year saw a number of standout entrants.

Congratulations to:

Category: Early-career researcher
Winner: Alexander Plum (AUT, Economics)
Runner-up: Yat Ming Ooi (UoA, Management and International Business)

Category: Mid-career researcher
Winner: Yuri Seo (UoA, Marketing)
Runner-up: William Cheung (UoA, Property)

Category: Māori and/or Pacific researcher
Winners (Joint acknowledgement):
Jarrod Haar (Massey, Management and Māori Business)
Betty Ofe-Grant (AUT, Management)

Category: Overall/experienced/senior researcher
Winners (Joint acknowledgement):
Ranjana Gupta (AUT, Finance/Taxation Law)
Lisa Meehan (AUT, Economics)

The Competition’s keynote speaker, Leslie Falkiner-Rose, who’s an author, former journalist, and the strategic communications lead for the Australian Business Deans Council, said that having the skill to translate a journal article into something the average reader can digest is an excellent way to maximise the reach and impact of an academic’s knowledge and work.

“The greatest academic career benefits currently stem from peer-reviewed publications and citations,” she said. “However, globally, there are increasing moves to demonstrate the impact of research."

For academics, the ability to share knowledge further afield via analysis, opinion or expert media commentary opens up their scholarship and the potential for their research to make a real-world impact.

Falkiner-Rose, who recently published Tell us: What are you doing?, a book that’s designed to support academics in communicating their research, relevance and expertise, shared a raft of helpful tips, examples and ideas to help researchers hone their skills to maximise the reach and impact of their work.

All eight New Zealand business schools participated in the Competition, with 28 entries carefully assessed by the judging panel:

• Michael Boggs, NZME, Chief Executive Officer
• Kelly-Ann Harvey, Anderson Lloyd, General Manager Digital and Marketing
• Debbie O’Byrne, BECA, Circular Economy Principal
• Carlos Rahman, Auckland Council, Principal Governance & Engagement Advisor
• Kahu Tapsell-Bennett, NZTE, Investment Analyst
• Hone Arohaina Te Topa Thorpe, UoA Business School Kaiārahi
• Gilbert Wong, UoA Research Communications Manager

The papers submitted were assessed blind by the judges who marked them on the likely interest and value of the findings to the business community and whether the research addressed a significant issue. They also gave marks on how easily a non-specialist could understand the research, how easily it could be applied to add value to a business or policymaker community, and the quality of the writing.