Often Academic researchers focus their efforts on theoretical research topics. Whereas Industrial researchers consider practical problems and focus on research topics, which are more closely aligned to the service or products the company is making or stipulating of making in future. Such research topics have direct bearings to improving work process, schedule, time to market, cost, financial returns, such as reducing efforts, manpower requirements, or human- dependency, and making company lean, productive or best-in-class.

Often Academic researchers focus their efforts on theoretical research topics. Whereas Industrial researchers consider practical problems and focus on research topics, which are more closely aligned to the service or products the company is making or stipulating of making in future. Such research topics have direct bearings to improving work process, schedule, time to market, cost, financial returns, such as reducing efforts, manpower requirements, or human- dependency, and making company lean, productive or best-in-class.

Bridging the gap between academic research and Research Excellence means walking a fine line for both. Failing to do so will mean wasting public money and missing commercial opportunities.

Huge one I guess.

Still we lack in the understanding of research importance

All the theories have evolved from research. But very few academicians can be good researcher.

In medicine, there are four (4) types of potential expertise: (1) excellence in teaching, (2) excellence in the clinical care of patients, (3) excellence in clinical research (research related to the care of patients), and (4) excellence in research at the biochemical and genetic levels.

Dennis

Dennis Mazur

Yes, Seriously talking this has become one of the most emergent issue whenever we discuss any issue related to research and academics. Well said that most of the academicians are relying on theories to deliberate in the classes but there are other faculties also who take the help of real research or practical questions during their exchanges programs. In fact the quality of research is also declining because we have failed to merge academics and industry. Truly speaking if we take the help of each other than both the sectors can be benefited.

There is also the research of teaching and assisting learning. Often a skilled researcher is put in teaching and the class are overwhelmed or bored by a flow of research findings. Teaching (assisting learning) is a skill and research discipline separate from the subject being taught.

In my view generally there exists a gap between teaching and research because the existing research is not used by the teachers in the classrooms due lack of orientation on the part of student as well as the teacher. Generating the link is of utmost importance for the students, teachers and the nation particularly. Teachers should be held responsible for generating this link through proper orientation after entering this sector.

Another reason for a gap may be that teachers do not have access to research publications to read nor paid time allocated to keep up with critical reading of research. One academic institution I worked in only paid lecturers for the contact time and no paid preparation time. As temporary sessional lecturers there was no access to the academic library and journal subscriptions that research staff or permanent staff had free access to, thus it was no wonder many sessional lecturers (in any topic) kept their lecturer general and reused the same presentations and examples year after year.

What is very important is the sense of urgency and motivation. Many excellent teachers/lecturers are not motivated, or do not want to tap into very unique waters of primary and/or secondary research. The insufficient knowledge or Research Methodology, lack of organizational funding or plainly, lack of interest in this tedious process are some of the important contributing elements.

What is the role of a teacher/lecturer? Is it to tell students about research findings and expect the students to absorb this information? No teacher can be 100% up to date with the research for 100% of the topics on a course. But they can develop the skills of assisting student learning where the role of a teacher to pose questions, stimulate discussion, assist students to form their own opinions and to argue their viewpoint. I have developed course modules on critical reading and used these effectively for many years with students from many disciplines. I pick the example articles specific to the group and update each year - or sooner if there is a research article receiving a lot of attention and we want to discuss this. (I like travel and seeing other places if any institution wants to invite me to visit and present this critical reading or doing a literature review modules!)

Academic + Research Excellence = hands-on experience and promote active participation in both academe and research industry. Funding is a fundamental tool, but though you have enough resources but do not provide actuality the environment will be stagnant and clueless, expect limited understanding and motivational skills.

Academic + Research Excellence = hands-on experience and promote active participation in both academe and research industry. Funding is a fundamental tool, but though you have enough resources but do not provide actuality the environment will be stagnant and clueless, expect limited understanding and motivational skills.

Academic + Research Excellence = hands on experience and promote active participation to both academe and research industry. Funding is a basic tool but though you have and the environment seems stagnant and clueless limited understanding and motivational skills are expected.

In my opinion there is also the element of talent for research. Some Academic colleagues find it easier to understand the intricacies of primary research, while it comes, rather, hard for others, who find it much easier to lecture.

I strongly feel that there is missing link between research and teaching . The best and practically useful teaching is defined only after its basis and support by Academic and applied research. Teaching illustrated by local research case studies stands at the top if graded on an evaluation scale

Yes, There is Gap and missing link as well.

In my experience, there must be a missing link for the majority of the 2 high achieving groups.Researchers are usually sharp in research and and academics in teaching their stuff. There are only a few who have both talents

Researcher focus on finding new techniques and solutions for new problems while academic focus on teaching in general. Sure its better if the academic person be a good researcher to link the two branches

Following the interesting answers

In my understanding, the missing link between "Academic researchers" and "Industrial researchers" could be "Transitional Developers".

This concept was discussed in detail in

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_dont_developers_use_the_best_research_on_software_development.

The main result in IT area is the creation of the Non-Commercial Online Tool.

In my observation YES. Because academic excellence is based on concept of "Learner centered" and research excellence is based on the concept of "Subject centered".

Regards

Chitra

Dear @Eduard, there are some fine answers in the following related research questions.

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_can_teachers_become_researchers_What_are_the_consequences_of_their_lack_of_interest_in_research_what_are_the_obstacles_what_are_the_causes

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_researchers_good_pedagogues_and_vice_versa

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Are_perfect_researchers_bad_teachers

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is_there_any_evidence_that_good_teachers_are_good_researchers10

These days most of the universities in developing countries are striving to achieve high reputation and ranking in a short period of time (quick jump in QS world ranking or WUR in times higher education). All these ranking bodies measure an institution based on quantity (number of achievements) that is causing to increase the KPI of an individual researcher that the number game could be achieved. Therefore this number game is creating gap in achieving research excellence in a particular subject or focus area

There shouldn't be any missing link between academic and research excellence because what is theorized and taught in universities and colleges must be practicalized in the industry. Unfortunately, such missing link exists in many global communities.

Yes I agree. There does exist a thin line (or missing link) between research and academic excellence. Academic potential may not necessarily convert into research capability and novel ideas which form the basis of sound research. Likewise a good teacher may not be a good researcher. I have seen it in many cases.

As Suman says, a good educator doesn't make a good research and vice versa. Having pondered this a little I would reframe the question:

"If one accepts that research without enriching the field is pointless, as is teaching without staying abreast of the latest developments, then....

..... what is the institutional infrastructure and inter-personal skills required by researchers and educators to link research findings more strongly to taught curricula".

I don't know that we tend to think too deeply about this as it involves 'institutional culture' and gets put into the 'too hard' category!!