Throughout my career, I have worked with thousands of researchers, innovators, investors, and stakeholders while leading innovation development programs in government. Establishing innovation centers, incubators, technoparks, venture funds, and other transformative initiatives was a relatively straightforward process when I could handpick the most motivated researchers and provide them with the necessary knowledge, infrastructure, funding, and collaborative networks to scale their projects.
However, my experiences in academia—both in my home country and later in the United States and Europe—revealed a stark contrast. Research processes, particularly in the soft sciences, were often less intensive and multidimensional. Too frequently, research outcomes remained confined to academic publications in niche journals, with little impact beyond academic circles. If we are to address global challenges, shape policy, commercialize innovations, influence mindsets, advance sustainability, improve well-being, or leave a lasting legacy, we must rethink how research is conducted, communicated, and applied. The current model must shift to one that integrates innovative strategies designed to accelerate and amplify research impact.
One of the most pressing issues I have observed is the way researchers receive critical feedback—often for the first time only after submitting their papers to journals. By that stage, it is usually too late to make meaningful revisions to the research design, methodology, or data analysis. This reactive approach forces researchers to modify their work primarily to satisfy reviewers rather than to enhance its substance. Feedback should come at the idea stage, when it has the greatest potential to shape and refine the research.
To address this, I developed the “Idea Crush Test” format, which allows researchers and innovators to receive early constructive criticism when their ideas are still forming. Having organized more than 50 Idea Crush Tests, I have seen firsthand how this approach fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthens research design, and prevents wasted effort on projects that could have been significantly improved from the outset.
Another major obstacle in academia is the rigid structure of academic conferences and events. Having organized over 300 events, I have witnessed their enormous potential for launching projects, fostering collaboration, and attracting resources. However, traditional academic conferences often fail to deliver on this potential. Researchers typically attend to present their findings, answer a few questions, and compete for best paper awards, but rarely do these events lead to new research directions, interdisciplinary collaborations, or practical applications.
To truly accelerate research, we must rethink the format of academic events. Conferences should go beyond passive presentations and incorporate strategic brainstorming sessions, Idea Crush Tests, interactive workshops, multidisciplinary meetings, project-matching activities, creative presentation formats, commercialization reactors, hackathons, and debates. Some of history’s most groundbreaking scientific discoveries emerged from formal and informal academic discussions. Yet, in the hundreds of conferences I have attended, opportunities to break free from standardized, repetitive formats have been rare. These missed opportunities highlight the urgent need for more engaging, collaborative, and dynamic academic events.
Godovykh, M. (2025). Research Acceleration.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/research-acceleration-maksim-godovykh/1146874269?ean=9798230940227
I recently wrote the book “Research Acceleration,” where I explore various methodologies for expediting the research process and increasing its impact. Drawing from my experience in academia, government, and innovation programs, this book offers practical strategies for universities, research institutions, and policymakers seeking to improve research outcomes, attract funding, and enhance collaboration.
Beyond writing about research acceleration, I actively work on developing new formats for research acceleration events and hosting them whenever time permits. My goal is to create more dynamic, interactive, and results-driven approaches to academic gatherings that foster meaningful discussions, interdisciplinary cooperation, and practical applications of research.
I am ready to help develop and host research acceleration events that go beyond traditional academic formats. Whether through idea validation sessions, research hackathons, commercialization-focused events, or customized formats for specific research disciplines, I am always eager to collaborate with institutions and organizations looking to transform the way research is conducted, shared, and applied.
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If I can be of help in developing research acceleration events, please contact me using the form below. I look forward to exploring new ways to push the boundaries of research and innovation together.