Mutondi Mulaudzi
The academic space often presents itself as exclusive, closed-off and open to a select few with the accepted jargon to match. Whereas academic conferences and publishing in peer-review journals is integral to the fabric of the work that we do as researchers, academic research does not exist in a silo. Academia, however, tends to operate or present itself as though it does. It remains a difficult space to operate in and one that is inaccessible to the public and those interested in the work that we do. This is because of varying realities, ranging from the cost of accessing our work to our long-winded, technical and frankly colourless writing style. Our research and, consequently, its potential impact for broader societal impact remains low. Put plainly, 'Prof, no one is reading you'.
The idea for creating the Public Law Corner blog was sparked by this long-standing criticism of traditional academic publishing. Public Law Corner is a product of a school of thought that insists that the narrative of the academy needs to shift from its current classist, obscure and elitist habits to one that is socially relevant, impactful, and inclusive environment that makes a clearer and faster impact in the world. An example of this is the criticism of our writing style. We are often seen to be writing for one another and keeping the dialogue limited to our small world. Academic research is meaningless if it has no real impact on society. It is important that people engage with academic work and use it to inform their own spaces.
Community engagement is also a key element of academia. The public, on whose behalf we engage in academic work, does not enjoy our content, nor do they relate to it. This necessitates for a shift in how we approach academic engagement and to ensure that what we write speaks to a wider audience. How can we truly engage with communities if what we say is not part of their lingua franca and lived realities?
In this episode of The BBC′s 'The Bottom Line', the host, Evan Davis, and his guests explore business language and how it is often 'pompous, unclear and even worse, meaningless.' He says it is 'not a language problem but a business problem.' Parallels can be drawn between Davis′ observation about business language and academia. The status quo will continue to prevail as an academia problem, and if we want it to change, we need to actively work towards it. It is important that we try to, in our own way, create a space that is aimed at avoiding this 'clanky' language. We must aim to convey our thoughts clearly and precisely in a way that ensures that things do not get lost in translation.
In addition to shifting the narrative in academia, our aim is to create a platform for young researchers to discuss, debate and flesh out ideas. As young academics, we often find ourselves in social settings with fellow young colleagues where we feel comfortable putting forward our ideas in their infancy and fostering these with our peers. There are, however, not too many professional platforms that offer opportunities for these moments. It is particularly difficult to find spaces that offer room for multi- trans- interdisciplinary research in public law in Southern Africa. Young academics particularly find it difficult to navigate the realities of academic publishing. It is equally daunting to present ideas and canvas them in conferences and related formal academic settings. This is not only the experience of young academics but also for activists and practitioners who have the potential to make an essential contribution to the work of academic researchers.
From an editorial perspective, the peer review process also tends to be incredibly slow. It does not provide the space to canvas ideas or establish ongoing dialogue on in-the-moment legal developments. Engaging with legal developments timeously, particularly in an era of misinformation, creates an increased need for expert voices. An academic blog that publishes shorter pieces has the potential to keep up with the fast-paced nature of legal developments whilst providing and maintaining quality and scholarly engagement.
We have certainly jumped onto an existing bandwagon here. Public Law Corner draws inspiration from the impact of blogs such as Afronomics Law that have created spaces for researchers and practitioners and even for the legal nerd. We learn from their work and admire how they have created a special and important space for international law researchers. We hope that we, too, can fill an important gap for those interested in an open and accessible platform.
The Public Law Corner (PLC) is thus an online blog extension of the Southern African Public Law Journal. It is a contemporary space for legal practitioners, students, academics and people beyond the legal sector to 'shake the table' and engage with topical legal issues related to public law. Our main aim is to amplify all voices and issues in public law that are often excluded from formal publication. We have sought to create a space that will deal with some of these existing hurdles. We do not assume that this is a catch-all solution to the world of problems associated with academic publishing, but we are hoping to at least provide a platform or space for legal banter between and among young/emerging and established academics and practitioners.
Biswas AK and Kirchherr J, 'Prof, No One is Reading You' (2015)
<https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/prof-no-one-is-reading-you> accessed 1 February 2022.
BBC′s Business Language, 'The Bottom Line, Why Do Company Leaders So Often Rely on the Use of Jargon, Hype and Obscure Words When Trying to Communicate with the Public?' (2021) <https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000xmm2> accessed 1 February 2022.