Introduction
In an era defined by climate emergencies, global inequalities, and rapidly shifting technological landscapes, the responsibility placed on research to shape sustainable futures is profound. Yet, research impact is not automatic. It must be designed with intention, relevance, and strategic foresight.
This keynote, delivered at the High Impact Research and Journal Advancement Workshop organised by the Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy (JSDLP) and the OGEES Institute at Afe Babalola University, explored how research and innovation can be better leveraged for sustainable development and societal impact, particularly in African contexts.
The Imperative of Research in a Sustainable Development Context
Research is more than a scholarly exercise. It is a powerful tool for:
- Interrogating systemic inequalities
- Uncovering localised challenges and good practices
- Democratising knowledge through inclusive access and participation
- Promoting ethics, accountability, and evidence-informed governance
The nuance lies in addressing ‘glocal’ challenges – those shaped by both global systems and local realities – through the use of relevant research methodologies. For this purpose, scholars and research institutions must rethink their approach to impact, moving beyond the “publish or perish” paradigm.
Owning the Researcher’s Positionality
Researchers bring intrinsic value to sustainable development. Their unique positionality as mediators between academic knowledge and lived realities must be actively leveraged. Core elements of a researcher’s positionality within the context of the Global South include:
- Access to high-quality information
- Contextual insight rooted in place-based understanding
- Established networks of influence among stakeholders
- Access to case studies with policy and practice relevance
Owning this positionality is essential for designing research that moves beyond theory into action. It is also critical for researchers to appreciate their relative privileges and opportunities for improving the quality of the research environment within which they operate for the benefit of other researchers and research users.
Defining Innovation: More Than Novelty
Innovation, especially in development contexts, is often misunderstood. It is not synonymous with creativity or comparative analysis. Rather, innovation should be understood as: Novelty + Application + Impact.
This equation provides a pragmatic lens through which researchers can assess the value of their work – not just for academia, but for the wider society. Key factors which support research innovation include aligning research interests with real-world challenges, interactions with various communities of practice and disciplines that are relevant for understanding and resolving the challenges in focus, and institutional support.
Barriers to Innovation in Research
Researchers in the Global South encounter structural and operational barriers that limit innovation. Inadequate funding remains a critical challenge. National investments in research and development are typically low, and where funding exists, it often comes from external donors whose priorities may not align with local needs. Funding channels are further hampered by fragmentation and instability, making long-term research planning difficult.
Infrastructure deficits also hinder research productivity. Many institutions in the Global South lack access to comprehensive digital databases and knowledge repositories. This is compounded by unreliable electricity and internet connectivity, as well as limited laboratory and technical infrastructure necessary for experimental research.
Furthermore, human capital constraints diminish the innovative potential of research. Academic environments are often siloed by rigid disciplinary boundaries and outdated, didactic teaching methods. There is also a widespread lack of mentorship and clear pathways for career progression. High levels of brain drain, exacerbated by limited domestic opportunities and underutilised diaspora networks, further deplete local capacity.
In addition, policy and political factors continue to obstruct research advancement. Bureaucratic delays in securing ethics approval, limited platforms for policy-relevant research dissemination, and broader security concerns, particularly for field-based studies, undermine the continuity and reach of research efforts.
Strategic Recommendations for Advancing High-Impact Research
To overcome these barriers and enable research ecosystems to serve as engines of sustainable development, several strategic interventions are essential.
First, enhancing stakeholder engagement is paramount. Research must be co-created with relevant stakeholders, ranging from policymakers and practitioners to local communities, to ensure its relevance, legitimacy, and applicability. Such engagement fosters shared ownership and mutual benefit.
Second, sustained investment in research infrastructure is non-negotiable. Institutions should prioritise the pooling of internal resources and explore context-sensitive innovations, including the integration of indigenous knowledge systems, to strengthen research environments.
Third, financial diversification is necessary to break reliance on singular funding streams. This can be achieved through novel mechanisms such as crowdfunding, the commercialisation of research outputs, and strategic partnerships with the private sector. Additionally, microgrants should be made available to early-career researchers to encourage experimentation and support inclusive participation.
Fourth, human capital must be nurtured through policies that promote lifelong learning and academic mobility. Celebrating the achievements of locally based researchers and engaging diaspora academics through mentorship schemes and collaborative platforms can help reverse talent loss and deepen local capacity.
Finally, research governance should be simplified and strengthened. Ethics review systems must be transparent and responsive, with clear timelines and guidance. Institutions should also provide researchers with appropriate insurance and safety protocols to mitigate personal and professional risks in challenging contexts.
The Transformative Role of Journals
Journals such as the JSDLP have a critical role in nurturing impact-oriented research ecosystems. Beyond publishing, they must:
- Act as bridges between researchers, government, industry, and civil society
- Call for papers on under-researched national priorities
- Provide mentoring and seed funding for early-career researchers
- Ensure accessibility of content across ability levels and disciplines
- Measure impact through engagement metrics—not just citation counts
By reimagining their function, journals can help close the gap between knowledge production and societal transformation.
Measuring and Communicating Impact
To fulfil their transformative potential, research institutions and journals must define impact clearly and design their strategies with impact in mind from the outset. Achieving meaningful impact requires reaching out to a wide range of people, both in and out of the academic world, and monitoring that influence using qualitative and quantitative metrics. Additionally, making research accessible to underrepresented and differently abled communities ensures inclusivity in impact distribution. Moreover, building sustained networks for knowledge exchange, such as communities of practice and policy roundtables, enhances the longevity of research influence. Lastly, it is important to recognise that impact is not inherently positive. Continuous reflection, ethical responsibility, and adaptive feedback mechanisms are critical to assessing the full consequences of research interventions.
Conclusion: Toward a New Research Ethos
“If you want to go quickly, walk alone. If you want to go far, walk together.”
This African proverb encapsulates the closing message: collaboration, inclusion, and shared purpose are the cornerstones of research that truly matters.
To realise the transformative power of research, we must design and support systems that are rigorous, responsive, and rooted in the contexts we seek to serve.
Only then can we unlock innovation that is not just novel but meaningful.
