How can you translate your research IDEALS into a potent publication strategy?
On November 19, I invited John Dumay to join me for a lively conversation and workshop on "IDEALS for Research Writing." John is Professor of Accounting and Finance at Macquarie University and the author of Academic Research, Publishing and Writing, published by Emerald Press in 2024.
In the first hour of this two-hour event, I asked John about his own research journey and prolific publication strategy, which has led to an impact ranking that places him (according to Elsevier and Stanford University) amongst the top 2% of scientists worldwide. In the second hour, John led a hands-on workshop introducing his IDEALS framework, which prompts researchers in any field to:
Identify the problem;
Define the context;
Enumerate the options;
Analyze from a critical perspective;
List reasons explicitly; and
Self-reflect.
Here’s WriteSPACE Event Manager Amy Lewis’ personal account of this special event:
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John Dumay describes himself as an "accidental accountant"—a witty nod to his unconventional path—but he’s also a prolific, stylish, and craft-focused writer. John approaches writing methodically, breaking down elements to understand how they function before reassembling them into something exceptional. He’s a champion of lean, clear prose and has no patience for zombie nouns. As he puts it, “When you read something, you need to visualize it. Can you actually see what you’re writing? If not, there’s nothing for your brain to latch onto, and comprehension goes out the window.” To enhance clarity and engagement, he recommends using metaphors and analogies to anchor abstract ideas in concrete imagery.
One particularly fascinating insight John shared was about the art of constructing a paragraph. A paragraph, he explained, should present an argument supported by evidence—like telling a well-structured story. He used the analogy of a fairytale to highlight a common pitfall in academic writing: inconsistency.
Imagine a story where a princess is trapped in a castle guarded by a dragon. The king offers his kingdom to any hero in exchange for her rescue. A prince agrees to save her but, tired from his travels, he decides to visit a tavern first. He can’t sleep due to noise from a nearby castle, and ends up falling for a girl with glass slippers at a ball. The original princess and dragon are forgotten, leaving readers scratching their heads. John’s lesson? Don’t lead your readers on wild goose chases—stay consistent and ensure the end of your story ties back to the beginning.
John also encouraged us to innovate and break the unwritten “rules” of academic writing. He advocates for techniques such as using the first person, incorporating visual imagery, crafting engaging hooks, following the Writer’s Diet principles for clear writing, and layering arguments deliberately like a lasagna (rather than chaotically like spaghetti).
In the second hour, John introduced his IDEALS framework, an acronym outlined in his book Academic Research, Publishing and Writing (a great book for researchers in the social sciences and beyond). To try his IDEALS framework for yourself, you can watch the full two-hour video, IDEALS for Research Writing, available in the WriteSPACE membership area.
A heartfelt thanks to Helen for hosting this inspiring session and to John for generously sharing his expertise. I look forward to seeing you at the next WriteSPACE Special Event!
WriteSPACE and WS Studio members can find the recording of the Special Event in their Video library.
Not a member? Register to receive an email with a link to the video of the first hour.
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