Reflections from the Paper Development Workshop with Professor Robert Faff

Reflections from the Paper Development Workshop with Professor Robert Faff

Last week, Strathmore University Business School (SBS) hosted Professor Robert Faff, a distinguished scholar and the brains behind the internationally acclaimed Pitching Research Framework (PRF), for a Paper Development Workshop.

The session, designed for PhD students and early career researchers, offered more than just technical guidance but also an invitation to think differently about how research ideas are crafted, refined, and communicated.

Prof. Faff emphasized the importance of clarity and structure in research development. His framework has become a global touchstone for scholars who want to pitch their ideas in ways that resonate, whether to academic peers, journal editors, or funding bodies.

The workshop set the stage for the Strathmore University Chapter of the International Global Pitching Research Competition (IGPRC 2025), a platform that celebrates innovation, rigor, and storytelling in academia.

Three remarkable researchers stepped forward to share their work:

• Fredrick Otieno presented his paper titled: ESG Disclosure, Investment Efficiency, and Firm Performance: An NLP Approach Applied to the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
• Samkelisiwe Bhebhe, presented a paper titled: Modelling the Impact of Climate Risks on Financial Stability in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• James Odero, presented on: Redefining Internal Audit Effectiveness in African State Corporations: A Contextualised, Stakeholder-Constructed Framework and Index

Each presentation highlighted academic excellence and the urgent relevance of research in shaping Africa’s landscapes. These were not just academic papers but bold attempts to address pressing issues facing Africa and the world — from climate risks to governance and financial markets.

Fredrick Otieno emerged as the winner, earning the opportunity to represent Strathmore at the next stage of IGPRC 2025. His work exemplifies the type of bold, data-driven inquiry that has the potential to influence both policy and practice.

Reflecting on the day, three key lessons stood out:

• Clarity is power. A clear and well-pitched idea can spark conversations and open opportunities.
• Courage matters. Sharing research publicly, especially at early stages, takes boldness. That courage is what moves knowledge forward.
• Community fuels growth. Workshops and competitions such as IGPRC remind us that research is not a solitary journey. It is built on shared knowledge, mentorship, and encouragement from peers.

Academic papers are not merely requirements for graduation or markers of scholarly achievement; they are vehicles through which knowledge is advanced, challenged, and applied. Well-developed papers can shape debates, influence policy, and inspire innovation far beyond the walls of academia. By grounding bold ideas in rigorous research and communicating them effectively, academic papers become bridges between theory and real-world impact.

Learn more about the Doctoral Programmes offered at SBS here

Article by Juliet Hinga