Emerald brand ambassadors

Now, during this global pandemic where research is providing the basis for solutions, our Ambassador’s role has never been more important.

In this article, we bring you the latest insights into the Programme, including the brilliant work our Ambassadors are doing right now to help research communities around the world. We also introduce our newest Ambassador, Dr Hiram Ting representing East Asia, who tells us why he joined the Programme and what he hopes to achieve, along with his recent success in securing a special issue with the British Food Journal.

What is the Emerald Brand Ambassador Programme?

In short, it’s a programme that helps us support our research communities around the world. Through our Brand Ambassadors we learn more about what’s important to our customers and how best to serve them. On that basis, we provide tailored support to authors planning to publish, users looking for information, policy makers needing to make informed decisions, and librarians helping students and researchers access the best research.

Who are our Brand Ambassadors?

They work within the research community and share our passion to make a difference in the real world. Like us, they believe that academic research can impact lives, livelihoods and communities and they want to do more to make that happen.

Most of them have longstanding relationships with us, and having experienced our products and services for themselves, want others in their community to also enjoy the benefits.

How do we support our Brand Ambassadors?

We support our Brand Ambassadors through dedicated mentors, social media training and guidance, and access to the Emerald Insight platform and content.

Motivated to make a difference

In short, it’s a programme that helps us support our research communities around the world. Through our Brand Ambassadors we learn more about what’s important to our customers and how best to serve them. On that basis, we provide tailored support to authors planning to publish, users looking for information, policy makers needing to make informed decisions, and librarians helping students and researchers access the best research.

What prompted you to join the Emerald Ambassador network

Being a social worker for 10 years prior to joining academia has influenced my beliefs and direction in life. I did my master’s and PhD mainly to learn more, be able to pass on knowledge and skills to others – especially students and emerging researchers – and translate research into something practical to benefit the community concerned. This is the very reason the late Professor Dr Ernest Cyril de Run and I founded Sarawak Research Society (SRS) in 2015, and I am glad that I have not changed much today. I see Emerald as a great avenue to learn, work with scholars and those in publishing, as well as disseminate information and research that will be practically useful to the populations

What do you like most about the Ambassador Programme

I like everything about the Programme so far, as it is essentially what I am passionate about. Apart from organising events, such as workshops and conferences, where we can network and collaborate with scholars from different universities and countries, I see publishing, and guiding people to publish, as a means to help academics and students know Emerald more and use the resources better.

Making a real impact on the community is one of our top priorities and I am glad that a special issue in the British Food Journal (a collaboration between the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) in Kuching and UCSI University, Sarawak Campus, Malaysia) in response to the United Nations Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), has been approed. And I am grateful to Emerald East Asia team for trusting and supporting me all the while.

How are you using the Ambassador role within your faculty and university network?

I have done more outside of my faculty and university in the past three months, but they are all connected to my role within my university. Arranging special issues is what I have been doing to connect my faculty and university and other universities abroad (due to joint guest editorial and joint publication) alongside Emerald. I have also connected Emerald East Asia team to the Research Synergy Foundation – a rising and prominent research association in Indonesia. In my recent workshops and conferences as a keynote speaker in Malaysia and abroad (and there will be e-workshops and e-conferences coming up soon), I spoke about Emerald and its support to making meaningful impact and its resources, such as case studies. I plan to arrange some e-courses on Emerald service soon.

Are there any changes you would make to the Ambassador Programme?

All is well so far. The Emerald team here has been tremendously helpful. They regularly update me with Emerald’s news and programmes (e.g. case study workshop, Emerald Open Research and Expert Briefings) and I communicate with them frequently about my plans and thoughts. I have spoken to them about Emerald Youth Programme/Network, and I am preparing a proposal now. I believe Emerald has all the resources needed to not only make it a successful programme but also create more value to young people and the society at large.

Dr Hiram Ting is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, UCSI University, Sarawak Campus, Malaysia. He is the Vice President of Marketing in Asia Group (MAG) and has served as guest editor of several journals. Since joining UCSI University in 2018, he has published more than 40 papers and won numerous best paper awards, including Emerald’s Literati Award in 2018.