A research communication program promoting spinal cord injury research from around the world

At the Spinal Research Institute (SRI), we are excited about the diversity of spinal cord injury  research being undertaken around the world. The Why Research Matters program aims to bring this research to a wider audience, in particular those living with spinal cord injury, and those who might not otherwise engage with this research.

We invite submissions from researchers and clinicians for Why Research Matters. Submissions must be written in easy-to-understand language, and they must be about published and/or in-progress spinal cord injury research.

Benefits of participation

This program aims to share the work of researchers and clinicians with a wider audience through the SRI’s networks, mailing lists, and social media. All submissions that are suitable for publication are published on the SRI’s website and are discoverable through search engines. They also have a unique URL, making them easy to share.

English language proficiency 

Spinal cord injury research is being conducted around the world, and we understand that writing in English may be challenging for those whose first language is not English. The SRI will provide additional language editing support for these researchers and clinicians so that their work can be included.

How to participate

Participation in Why Research Matters is free and open to SCI researchers and clinicians internationally. Submission for consideration and publication is through the online form below.

Your answers to the following questions will form the basis of your submission.

• Why does your research matter? (200 words)
• Why does this area of research interest you? (200 words)
• Why should your research interest the reader? (200 words)

You’ll also need to upload a photo of yourself and an image or two that illustrate your research.

The SRI will share all published submissions on social media, and selected submissions will also be published in newsletters, in the SRI’s annual Impact Report, and elsewhere as appropriate.

Suitability for publication

On receiving a submission, the SRI will review it to ensure it is suitable for publication. In determining suitability for publication, the SRI will consider the following:

• Does the submission convincingly explain why the research matters?
• Is the research explained in a way that is easy to understand?
• Is the submission compelling to read?

Why Research Matters publications 2020 – 2024

From 2020 to 2024, Why Research Matters was published as an anthology consisting of entries in the annual SCI Research Writing Prize. The submissions from these years are available in the five Why Research Matters publications below.