LOS BAÑOS, Philippines — Twenty-six Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) graduate scholars have completed an intensive five-day training program designed to translate academic research into actionable policy briefs, book chapter proposals, and broader public engagement initiatives.
Organized under the SEARCA Graduate-on-Time (GOT) Program, the workshop, titled “Beyond the Journal Article: Scientific Writing for Policy and Wider Scholarly Engagement,” ran from 27 to 31 July 2026 at SEARCA headquarters in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Development Communication (UPLB CDC). The cohort brought together master’s and PhD scholars representing Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Dr. Maria Cristeta Cuaresma, Senior Program Head of SEARCA’s Education and Collective Learning Department, underscored the broader developmental mission behind the customized training. She emphasized that the Center’s primary goal is not merely to build individual academic capacity, but rather to invest in scholars so that upon returning to their home countries and communities, they can serve as ambassadors for sustainable agricultural transformation.
Reframing scholarly publication as both an academic duty and a vehicle for real-world impact, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Winifredo Dagli of the UPLB CDC Department of Science Communication noted that while conventional journal articles remain essential, they are often not the most suitable medium for communicating vital research findings to decision-makers, field practitioners, and the general public.
Throughout the week, participants practiced aligning scientific evidence with the distinct needs of diverse audiences. In policy communication modules, scholars developed strategies to identify core objectives, articulate key messages in accessible language, and connect pressing agricultural challenges with clear, evidence-based recommendations. Additional sessions on long-form scholarly publishing guided researchers in genuinely reconceptualizing dissertations as compelling book chapters by building strong narrative arcs, minimizing unnecessary technical jargon, and selecting reputable, non-predatory publication venues.
By equipping future leaders with the practical tools to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and policy execution, the program reinforces SEARCA’s commitment to driving meaningful agricultural innovation across the region.