Empowering through academic writing skills
Focusing on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Institutes worldwide are conducting highly relevant research. However, published research predominantly comes from high-income country researchers. ARQ aims to empower individuals and institutes from low- and middle-income countries to share their work with the academic world.
L'Université Evangélique en Afrique (UEA), their department Dennis Mukwege Centre of Excellence and Panzi Hospital are jointly conducting research on the global impact of sexual violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, this wealth of expertise remains largely inaccessible to the scientific community, mainly due to the gap between writing skills among researchers and students at these institutions and the writing standard required by academic journals.
Bridging gaps in sexual healthcare advocacy
This case illustrates the challenges many researchers and field workers from low and middle-income countries are confronted with across the world. To bridge this gap, ARQ International, Intervention journal and the UEA created a tailor-made writing workshop for researchers from the DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda to share their invaluable expertise on sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence on a global scale. The programme consists of:
1. Workshop on academic writing skills
Defining objectives, building arguments, and creating structure:
- Support new writers in defining the objectives of academic papers
- Develop analytic thinking and familiarity with data and academic literature
- Develop arguments based on empirical data and experience from the field
- Teach classic research articles structure for potential publication
Mastering the effective use of academic literature:
- Train participants in conducting literature reviews
- Enhance skills in selecting relevant papers and effectively reading them
- Support identification of gaps in existing knowledge
- Enable participants to link and build on existing literature in their writing
Navigating the journal submission/publication process:
- Provide guidance on journal selection
- Interpret and apply journal guidelines effectively (e.g., word count, structure)
- Teach submission procedures and how to respond to peer reviews
- Facilitate dissemination of research beyond the conducting team or organisation
2. Training of trainers for ‘master’ instructors
Strengthening regional research capacity:
- Equip trainers with skills to teach academic writing to others
- Enhance ability to recognise errors in structuring academic publications
- Enable trainers to provide constructive feedback to students
- Empowering trainers to share their knowledge within their organisations
3. Online coaching sessions
Draft academic or field articles on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) by the participants:
- Provide guidance and support in the writing process in further developing their draft articles initiated during the workshop
- Deliver at least six academic and field reports on SRHR by the participants
Gaining valuable experience in coaching and mentoring students in academic writing:
- Co-lead the online coaching sessions by the master trainers who participated in the training of trainers
- Support them in developing tailored academic writing training programs for their specific contexts
Read the testimonials of Jacqueline and Michel
Two participants shared about their work and how the programme supports them in achieving their goals. Jacqueline Bagabo founded Women Needed Peace (WNP), a Congolese organisation dedicated to women's and indigenous rights. Michel Ndikumana is a clinical psychologist working at a neuropsychiatric hospital in Burundi.
Empowering marginalised women
"The training helped me understand how I can support these vulnerable communities by sharing their needs. I have already started writing about the access to and use of quality healthcare for indigenous women in the National Park of Kahuzi Biega region." Jacqueline Bagabo
Strengthening Advocacy
“The training supports me in effectively communicating the methods, benefits, and realities of treating psychiatric patients in Burundi to the world. I feel empowered to exchange my knowledge and experiences with other professionals.” Michel Ndikumana
Strengthening Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Advocacy
This programme represents a crucial step forward in addressing the pressing issues surrounding SRHR for people affected by sexual violence. By empowering researchers and practitioners with the tools and skills needed to advocate effectively, the program not only enhances access to essential healthcare services but also contributes to broader efforts to promote dignity, justice, and empowerment for the affected.
Would you like more information on this project?
ARQ and Intervention journal envision inclusive academic publishing, encompassing the knowledge and experience of researchers and practitioners worldwide. Our writing workshops are a critical part of our mission to bridge these gaps in MHPSS. Would you like to explore the possibility of funding a workshop? Send an email to international@arq.org, and we will respond as soon as possible.
This programme has been funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Orange Knowledge Programme and managed by Nuffic.
Academic Writing Workshop
Would you like to explore the possibility of funding a workshop?