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What if your research was not only brilliant but also ready for the real world? Design thinking allows researchers to move from abstract concepts to practical innovations. It is the distinction between having a groundbreaking theory and providing a usable solution. This approach can help us finally close the gap between knowledge and application.

Most research is built backward. We ask academic questions, gather data, write papers—and only then wonder, “Could this be useful?” But by then, it’s often too late. Stakeholders weren’t engaged. Communities weren’t consulted. Policymakers weren’t aware. And so, even the best research misses the chance to change lives—because it wasn’t built for use. The traditional academic model rewards theory, not translation. But that model is cracking under the weight of unmet needs and

Many researchers assume their role ends at publication. But what if it’s just beginning? Without translation, even the most groundbreaking findings can remain invisible. Journals don’t save lives. Policies do. Products do. Programs do. Yet few researchers are equipped or encouraged to take that next step. The result? Years of work collecting dust. Insights that never reach classrooms, clinics, or communities. Innovations that never leave the lab. Translational research change

Can innovation thrive where resources are scarce? The answer is yes. Low-resource environments often hold the most urgent problems—and the most untapped potential for research-driven solutions. Commercialising research in these settings isn’t just possible—it’s essential. It’s how we turn ideas into access, and knowledge into inclusive progress.

Impact does not have to conflict with income. In fact, when done correctly, monetising your mission can significantly enhance the reach of your research. This can take the form of a social enterprise, an online course, or even a patented invention. Exploring sustainable financial models can help amplify your impact instead of diluting it.

Your research is more than just an academic contribution; it can be a valuable asset waiting to be activated. Research-driven products—from apps to policy tools—are reshaping industries. The crucial question is: does your research have market potential? Luckily, there’s a structured approach to discover the answer.

What if the next big research breakthrough didn’t just land in a journal—but in a product, service, or scalable solution?

Imagine if your research didn’t just remain on paper—but manifested in products, medical devices, educational programs, or mobile apps. That’s the power of strategic commercialisation.

While knowledge creation remains vital, knowledge stagnation is a growing problem. Groundbreaking research often fails to leave the confines of academia. It never becomes policy. It never becomes product. It never becomes practice.

Communities don’t need more theories; they need practical actions. Policymakers require frameworks that can be applied effectively. Entrepreneurs seek data-driven models that can thrive in the real world. Civil society craves innovations that tackle urgent social challenges. Without researchers stepping into these spaces, their work risks becoming irrelevant.

Every time research ends in a journal and not in practice, we lose time, lives, and billions in economic potential.

When research fails to move into these spaces, its potential is lost.

Across Africa and beyond, researchers are solving real problems—on paper. Yet too often, that’s where it ends. Why?

Across Africa and beyond, researchers are solving real problems—on paper. Yet too often, that’s where it ends. Why?