BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Universities and
research centers should accelerate the transfer of scientific
findings to society and define research agendas based on people’s
real needs. Karen Chapple made the remarks during an international
roundtable on “Education and Professional Training” held within the
framework of the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13)
in Baku, Trend
reports.


She said that turning academic research into practical outcomes
often takes a long time. “From preparing grant applications to
field research, writing academic papers, and publishing in
peer-reviewed journals, it can take up to five years. After that,
only a small portion reaches the public. Meanwhile, people absorb
and use information much more quickly,” she emphasized.


Chapple stressed the need to strengthen links between
universities and local communities.


“We have not fully used the opportunity to shape research
questions based on societal needs. In most cases, research is
conducted first, and only afterward its relevance to people is
assessed. This approach needs to change,” she said.


She noted that her “School of Cities” center operates based on
this principle.


According to her, the “Downtown Recovery” project, which tracks
the revitalization of city centers, analyzed urban development
dynamics across North America and Europe using mobile phone
data.


The project attracted wide international media attention,
helping identify what issues people are most interested in.


“People were particularly interested in which economic models
are more resilient and how public transport systems recover after
crises. We then directed our subsequent research toward answering
these questions,” she said.


Chapple added that in the modern era, academic publishing alone
is not enough to reach broad audiences.


“We use maps, data visualization, videos, policy briefs, and
short analytical reports. Our research is shared on platforms such
as Reddit, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and our database
receives over one million views annually,” she said.


She also emphasized the importance of training programs that
teach the practical use of new tools and digital platforms.







“These trainings should not be limited to university students,
but should also include peer-learning programs that promote
knowledge exchange between cities and institutions. Universities
can play a key role in advancing institutional cooperation,” she
added.


Today marks the fifth day of WUF13 in Baku.


The first day included a ministerial meeting dedicated to the
New Urban Agenda, a ministerial roundtable, assemblies for women
and civil society, business sessions, and discussions on urban
prosperity. An official ceremony marking the raising of the UN and
Azerbaijani flags also took place.


The second day stood out for the inaugural Leaders' Summit,
featuring high-level discussions on the global housing crisis,
urbanization policy, and urban resilience. Concurrently, the
opening of the Mexico City pavilion took place, serving as a
significant platform for expanding cooperation with the Latin
American region and preparing for WUF14.


The third day of WUF13 featured a comprehensive program of
events covering the global housing crisis, the formation of safe
and inclusive cities, climate resilience, artificial intelligence
and urban governance, green urbanization, social equity, and
sustainable transport.


One of the highlights of the third day was the signing of a
sister-city memorandum between the Azerbaijani city of Shusha and
the Turkish city of Trabzon.


The fourth day of WUF13 featured a broad program of events
dedicated to urbanization, climate change, inclusive urban
development, housing policy, and sustainable governance.


One of the important events of the UN Special Programme for the
Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) Cities Forum, held on the fourth
day, was the announcement of Almaty’s official accession to the
“Declaration of Intent on the Establishment of the SPECA Smart
Climate-Resilient Cities Forum.”


Also, for the first time in WUF history and at Azerbaijan’s
initiative, the “WUF13 NGO Forum: Global Partnership and
Decision-Making” was held.


WUF13, which has attracted more than 40,000 registered
participants from 182 countries, will continue until May 22. Held
under the theme “Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and
communities,” the forum brings together governments, international
organizations, experts, and representatives of civil society to
strengthen global cooperation in the field of sustainable urban
development.