AuthorAID online research communication training
INASP's AuthorAID project aims to build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed by southern researchers and organizations so that their research can be published and communicated. The AuthorAID project was initiated by INASP in 2007.
Since 2013, AuthorAID has provided free-to-access online courses in research and proposal writing for early-career researchers in low- and middle-income countries.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
AuthorAID offers twice-yearly MOOCs per year in research writing and/or grant proposal writing, attracting thousands of participants from around the world and with high completion rates compared to typical MOOCs.
Between 2013 and 2017, our online courses attracted 10,048 participants from 121 countries. Of these, 5,067 completed the course (an average completion rate of 50%).
The online courses are interactive and moderated, with peer-review exercises and discussion forums. All course completers receive a certificate. Courses covers topics such as:
- Literature reviews
- Publishing ethics
- Writing your paper
- Getting published in a journal
AuthorAID online courses have also been welcomed by displaced researchers, or those in more difficult environments, with past participants from Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
The online course has positively affected almost every aspect of my academic life. The effect is particularly visible in my research writing, information sharing, networking and supervision of students' projects.”
Ghanaian participant, Online Research Writing Course, October 2015
AuthorAID MOOCs were finalists for the 2017 ALPSP Awards for Innovation in Publishing.
Intensive research writing course
From 2013, INASP’s AuthorAID project has partnered with Pure Earth to run intensive research-writing courses for researchers working in environmental health. The 10- to 14-week courses provide hands-on and practical support to a small cohort of researchers looking to transform a draft manuscript into a publishable journal article.
The course supports participants to improve their technical writing and editing skills to increase the chance of their views and findings reaching an international audience through publication in major journals.Participants go through online lessons, engage in online discussions with fellow participants and facilitators, and complete weekly assignments, including peer reviews of classmates’ work, and receive extensive written feedback on their draft manuscript.
The course has helped to support Pure Earth’s efforts to expand research and increase data on toxic pollution in low- and middle-income countries, where pollution is the largest killer.
Since 2013, over 100 environmental health researchers have taken the free online intensive course. A recent impact study showed that 67% of participants publish in a peer-reviewed journal following participation on the course.
Blog: AuthorAID MOOC participants reflect on important and inspiring takeaways from the course
Blog: Creating a successful MOOC for academics in low-resource settings
Blog: AuthorAID helps southern researchers to publish
Blog: Three questions and answers from the JH&P/Pure Earth/AuthorAID course on Research Writing in Environmental Health
Blog: Real life thank-you from a JH&P/Pure Earth/AuthorAID course participant
Blog: Research into climate change is vital in countries that are on the frontline of feeling its effects
