Hamster Wheel Publishing

●Discussion Erika Islot

Academia can seem like an endless marathon of publications. But what about the deeper purpose of the research?

To write, present, review and iterate.

On my first tour With fieldwork, a conversation with one of my informants led to a turning point. The person expressed that my research has the potential to make a difference. This moment was a sudden awakening from an introspective dance of self-actualization in which my academic journey and publishing goal seemed to shape me.

Suddenly I stood up It is clear to me that my research endeavors and contributions were not solely related to my personal career ambitions through academia. It was about something beyond the publishing hamster wheel—writing, submitting, revising, iterating—it was about being able to contribute to something bigger than myself.

in shade In an increasingly polarized and turbulent era, we are witnessing a failure of trust in science and research. In the climate change debate, scientific findings collide with icebergs of denial. Even the management of the pandemic, based on epidemiological experience, has not escaped doubt, mistrust, and skepticism about vaccines.

We know the features Deep problem. There is a growing suspicion among the population that science has become a stepping stone into the tentacles of power, rather than a pillar of society. This doubt is captured and reinforced in the endless stream of “alternative facts” on social media, which are always just a click away.

On the other side of The mistrust gap Many academics struggle under the weight of expectations. Publications carry a lot of weight in academia, in a landscape where competition is intense and attention is turning. Career progression is closely linked to frequency of publication – and this is clearly a sensible practice: after all, a PhD requires a certain amount of research work, and a professorship should clearly be awarded to those who have made significant contributions to their field.

But the focus is one-sided On the amount of publication, it can move us away from the normative values ​​of research. This carries the risk that publication counts and similar quantitative measures reduce research to an issue useful for achieving career goals and promotion, rather than a benefit to society. This bias can, without our obvious knowledge, breathe life into the glowing embers of mistrust.

Are academics in danger of falling into the publishing hamster wheel, while lofty goals and selfless ambitions fade into the background?

Ironically enough Recent research suggests that a one-sided focus on personal ambitions, such as a promotion or a large number of publications, can strain our well-being and career development. In her book The Upside of Stress, Stanford University researcher and psychologist Kelly McGonigal highlights the importance of goals that transcend the ego. McGonigal paints a picture of how valuable it is to contribute to something greater than ourselves; It gives us meaning and improves stress management. It lifts us up, and interestingly, goals of a selfless nature can sharpen our performance on a personal career path – such as pursuing that coveted promotion.

When the academy rolls around In its wheel of publications, it shakes the foundations of trust in science. It seems necessary to direct the compass towards the goal of selfless research, which is to cultivate fruits that multiply society, not just one's biography. By focusing on the role of science in society, we avoid reducing research to an individual pursuit of our own merits, and instead become bridge builders in society, far beyond the four walls of the office.

Such a change of course It requires us to look beyond the traditional boundaries of research ethics – methodological and ethical considerations within our individual projects. For research to fulfill a role as a social mission, it is necessary that ethical aspects also include how researchers and institutions can contribute to the larger society.

This is an invitation To look at research through a societal telescope, to assess its impact and importance from a larger perspective. If we are to direct research toward goals that promote social well-being, justice, and sustainability, a new form of map and compass is necessary – an ethics that embraces beyond this. In this way, we can lay the foundations for a science that not only seeks answers, but also actively contributes to shaping a better society.

It is recognized that this object It is directed towards a larger social mission, and cannot be placed on the shoulders of the individual researcher alone. The Bulletin's hamster wheel flashes as a warning sign that deeper structural challenges exist within academia and thus require systemic-level solutions. In the past, researchers enjoyed great autonomy in their daily work, but today's academic environment seems to be dominated by a culture where micromanagement limits independent work.

When that rein is tight Coupled with the hamster wheel of publishing, even the most enthusiastic researchers will become weary. This is not a call to return to an ideal past where researchers worked in complete independence, unconstrained by external requirements, but rather a desire to achieve a new balance. It is the responsibility of research institutions to create frameworks that enable the necessary freedom and structure, and where recognition is weighed not only by the quantity of publication, but also by the golden weight of societal value.

challenges with The hamster wheel of publishing, and the looming distrust of science, call for a shift toward a more community-oriented research approach. By lifting our sights beyond the number of publications and personal gains, we are invited to rediscover what drives us to the core of our work. Such an approach emphasizes the importance of not only pursuing personal goals, but also goals that transcend oneself, those of a normative nature – to contribute to progress and the collective good.

This is an undeniable ambition But in the eye of the storm, it is more dangerous to remain calm than to head towards a new horizon.