A JOURNALIST friend of mine sent me an article titled “Prof, no one is reading you” (Straits Times, April 11, 2022) about two days ago.
I found the article interesting in that it sought to revisit the old but relevant debate of whether academics and university professors should confine their publications to peer-reviewed journals and not the popular media.
The authors basically argue that while publishing in peer-reviewed journals are significant in the sense they determine the promotion of the academics, it is not altogether clear whether they influence policy decisions.
This is because the peer-reviewed journals are read by an average of ten people in the respective academic disciplines.
Even if publications in popular media might not have the high standards in terms of research findings, they are read by many with the possibility of influencing policy decisions.
It is true that when it comes to academic promotions, universities place more weight on peer-reviewed publications rather than those published in popular media.
But publications in peer-reviewed journals might not get the readership required to influence public opinions on a variety of matters.
Another equally compelling reason why academics frown upon publishing in popular media is because they are not considered “scientific” enough.
Perhaps this is true in some instances but not necessarily in all instances as it really depends on the academic disciplines in question.
Having said that, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and popular media cannot be construed as engaging in mutually-exclusive spheres.
In fact over the years, there is growing realisation by academics that publishing in popular media is an important in as in respected peer reviewed journals.
While peer-reviewed journals might have the tendency to engage in esoteric engagements thereby limiting readership but popular media can address the gap by allowing for a larger readership.
Most significantly, since the readership is broader for popular media, thoughts and ideas on policy matters might have indirect influence on policy matters.
I started publishing in online publications such as Malaysiakini more than 20 years ago while I was an academic at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
With the emergence of other popular media publications, I have since then broadened my base and I think I have published hundreds of articles in this period on variety of topics under the broad subject matter of political economy.
Presently, I am considering them for publication.
I am not sure whether these popular publications have an impact or not but one thing I’m sure of is that my online publications have obtained a bigger readership than those that I published in academic peer-reviewed journals.
I do concede the fact that publications in the popular media might not be subject to peer review as the academic ones, but they perform an important function in society especially for those enthusiastic for the latest news and information.
Rather than seeing publications in academic journals and those in popular media as mutually exclusive, the publications must be seen as complementary.
Publications in popular media provides an opportunity for a academics to present alternative views on society in comparison to those considered as mainstream ones. – April 19, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
