Is academia
stuck in a rut?
CLOSING THE IMPACT GAP: REPORT
When we examine current research outputs, the academic paper leads the pack and has done for over 350 years.
Though it has been digitised and can be accessed online, the paper still follows the same structure of text, figures, methodology and findings that it always has; not much has evolved in the way we present academic papers, despite changes in learning styles.
Our survey has identified that there is a strong desire and need for more varied formats that appeal to different learning styles and preferences of consuming (and presenting) information inside and outside of academia, which poses the question as to whether academia is indeed stuck in a rut?
On this page
In the report
There is a gap between the needs of academics and those of the next generation of learners.
Alongside teaching, academics are under pressure to secure funding, carry out research, and publish often in high impact factor journals. Meanwhile, students attend university to gain qualifications, skills and experiences that will set them up for the future.
There have been calls for innovation within teaching, but the traditional lecture has largely dominated the scene. Teaching approaches have been forced to change during COVID-19, with academics adapting lectures for remote students, and providing digital and interactive content.
The needs of researchers are very different from the needs of students. Innovations that help teaching are often counterproductive for research
We are yet to learn the changes within higher education that will remain post-pandemic, but it is clear from our research that students are hungry for a more varied learning experience.
Information & learning preferences outside of academia
The top three most popular ways that academics/students consume information outside of academia.
| Channel | Academics % | Students % |
|---|---|---|
| Internet websites | 78 | 62 |
| Online newspapers/magazines | 63 | 33 |
| Traditional books | 55 | 44 |
| YouTube | 46 | 61 |
| Social media | 54 | 57 |
While online channels, social media and YouTube are significant for both groups, students are more drawn to digital content than academics who prefer traditional media such as books and newspapers.
In China, where they have their own social media platforms, most students (78%) and academics (59%) favour social media learning. Meanwhile, traditional books are particularly popular for academics in Australasia (70%) and Europe (66%), as well as for students in Brazil (72%) and India (49%).
See a regional breakdown of the results
Research & learning at university
Which of the following content forms do you currently use to present your research? (academics)
Which of the following content forms do you currently use to help you with your learning and/or research at university? (students)
| Content | Academics % | Students % |
|---|---|---|
| Journal articles | 92 | 33 |
| Books | 42 | 51 |
| Training courses | 27 | 21 |
| Social media | 25 | 33 |
| Structured abstract | 23 | 22 |
| Open research data | 20 | 27 |
| White papers | 16 | 17 |
| Scholarly highlights | 16 | 16 |
| Case study simulation | 15 | 20 |
| Written interviews | 13 | 19 |
| Policy briefs | 12 | 12 |
| Infographics | 9 | 17 |
| Blogs | 9 | 15 |
| Lay summaries | 5 | 12 |
| Early stage synopsis | 4 | 12 |
| Augmented reality | 2 | 8 |
In the context of higher education, students and academics gravitate to similar content types but to varying degrees. Academics are far more likely to choose journal articles over other formats. Students are principally drawn to traditional books, but open to a wide range of content forms for learning and research.
When we drill into less traditional content forms, preferences start to widen. Students have a high appetite for video and animation (29% students vs. 8% academics), quizzes (23% students vs. 5% academics), book apps (19% of students vs. 4% academics) and audio & podcasts (17% students vs 4% academics).
In their quest to learn, students are more likely than academics to simplify content using annotated articles (21% of students vs. 10% of academics) and infographics (17% of students vs. 9% of academics). Students also prefer content that is made more interesting and digestible through games (12% of students vs. 3% of academics), de-jargoning software (10% of students vs. 1% of academics) or cartoons (10% students vs. 1% of academics).
Publish with us
Choose the right home for your research across our journals, books, teaching cases and open access options. Follow our guides and find the right resources to help you submit, publish and promote your work.