Most Shared Research Award Overview and Submission Guide| #sciencefather #researchaward
Beyond the Journal: The Power of the Most Shared Research Award
For researchers and technicians dedicated to scientific advancement, the ultimate measure of success has long been publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals. However, in the modern digital age, the criteria for impact are evolving. The Most Shared Research Award recognizes this fundamental shift, highlighting the crucial importance of science communication and the widespread dissemination of impactful work across digital and public platforms. This award is a call to action, encouraging the scientific community to look beyond traditional metrics and embrace global outreach.
The New Measure of Scientific Impact
The traditional academic environment measures success primarily through citations. While citations remain vital for scholarly influence, the Most Shared Research Award introduces a new, equally critical dimension: reach and engagement. This shift acknowledges that research which changes policy, influences public discourse, or accelerates technological adoption must be understood and acted upon by a broad audience.
The evaluation criteria for this award formalize these new metrics:
Shareability and Engagement: These criteria move beyond simple publication numbers to focus on the active spread and discussion of the work. Metrics like the number of shares, mentions, reposts, comments, and academic interactions demonstrate that the research is resonating and sparking dialogue.
Accessibility: This is perhaps the most challenging criterion for researchers. It requires complex ideas to be translated into clear, jargon-free communication suitable for non-specialist audiences. This skill is increasingly essential for securing public funding and maintaining trust in science.
Impact: The award specifically seeks to identify research that demonstrably influences public discourse, educational content, or even legislative policy. This is the ultimate proof that the work has successfully crossed the barrier from the lab to society.
For researchers, winning this award signifies a master class in translational research—the ability to not only conduct excellent science but also to effectively communicate its meaning and relevance to the world.
Submission Requirements: Mastering the Narrative
The submission guidelines emphasize the importance of narrative and data, requiring entrants to frame their research within a compelling public context:
Author Biography (500 words): This component shifts the focus from a standard academic CV to a profile that highlights the author's voice, communication philosophy, and commitment to public engagement, appealing to a broader audience than an institutional website.
Research Overview (300 words): This is the abstract recast as a concise, engaging story. It must clearly articulate the "why" and the "so what" of the research, emphasizing its real-world significance over methodological minutiae.
Analytics and Attachments: This is the evidence section. Submitting detailed data on views, shares, and Altmetric scores is crucial. The Altmetric score, in particular, quantifies the non-traditional attention the research has received from news outlets, blogs, social media, and policy documents, directly supporting the "shared" nature of the award. Attaching direct links to media features provides verifiable proof of external validation.
Recognizing Outreach and Promoting Open Science
The recognition associated with the Most Shared Research Award is tailored to amplify the winners' public-facing success:
Digital Media Impact Award and Certificate: Formalizing the achievement.
Featured in a Special Report on Science Outreach: Providing a platform to share best practices in communication with the broader academic community.
Public Engagement Opportunities: The chance to conduct a public webinar or media interview directly utilizes the winners' communication skills, furthering the reach of their work.
Crucially, the award is deeply intertwined with the values of open science. Awardees are encouraged to become active advocates for making research accessible, supporting science journalism, and engaging in content co-creation. This commitment transforms the recipients from passive content providers into active champions of transparency and public scientific literacy.
For both researchers seeking to maximize the real-world utility of their findings and technicians interested in implementing state-of-the-art developments, the Most Shared Research Award provides a new, definitive framework for measuring and celebrating research that genuinely impacts the world. We encourage the submission of work that has successfully navigated the challenging journey from the laboratory bench to the global digital conversation.
website: electricalaward.com
Nomination: https://electricalaward.com/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
contact: contact@electricalaward.com

Comments
Post a Comment