GoKawiilUniversity of Leeds psychologist urges researchers to tell peers when they admire their work
Madeleine Pownall, a psychology researcher at the University of Leeds, UK, describes sending unsolicited emails to researchers whose work she admired, specifying why their research mattered to her without asking for anything in return. She reports that several recipients said it was the first time anyone had explicitly told them their work was valued.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The anecdote highlights a gap in academic culture, where researchers often cite and teach others' work without ever communicating appreciation directly to them, according to Pownall. Her experience suggests that small, low-cost gestures of acknowledgment could address feelings of underrecognition in research communities, though she notes kindness alone cannot fix deeper structural issues in research culture.
- A Leeds researcher began emailing academics whose work she admired, without requesting anything in return.
- Several recipients said it was the first time their work had been explicitly praised.
- The author suggests direct expressions of appreciation are rare but valued in academia, while cautioning that kindness alone won't fix research culture.
Source: nature.com — Pownall, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “Admire another researcher’s work? Tell them about it”
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