‘Reputation built in silence, lasts longer than applause’
This famous quote by former Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills suggests reputation lasts longer when built in silence. I wonder if academics' desire to share research on platforms like Academia, Facebook, Twitter, and ResearchGate is shaped by cultural values favouring silence and humility over assertiveness.
This is a compelling reflection. The quote by President Atta Mills highlights a cultural emphasis on humility, restraint, and the quiet building of credibility — values that resonate deeply in many non-Western contexts, including parts of Africa, Asia, and the Arab world.
When it comes to academics sharing research on public platforms, cultural values indeed play a role. In cultures where modesty and communal reputation are prioritized over individual promotion, scholars may feel conflicted about self-publicizing their work. There can be a fear of being seen as boastful or undermining the collective nature of academic knowledge.
However, in today’s global research landscape, visibility is increasingly linked to impact. Dissemination through platforms like ResearchGate or even Twitter can serve not just self-promotion, but also accessibility, collaboration, and knowledge equity. Perhaps the challenge is finding culturally sensitive ways to share — assertiveness without arrogance, visibility without vanity.
This is universal rule and applies to NGOs, service organizations, corporate and politics.
Thoughtful contribution Rajendra K. Gupta . Perhaps your suggestion for culturally sensitive ways to share should start with what researchers make of approaches to research dissemination in so-called non-Western contexts.