But there is an uncomfortable question higher education rarely asks honestly: what difference is all this research actually making in the real world? Across many universities, research activity has expanded rapidly. It is because universities optimise research for metrics, not for impact. The result is a research culture that is productive, but often disconnected from the real world. Much academic research answers questions that are interesting to peers, funders or journals, but only loosely connected to the problems faced by patients, communities or public services.

Source: The Star April 05, 2026 12:10 UTC