Bermudians hope a new journal can connect researchers and help to shape policy on the island.

Kyaida Lanthier and Ywione Darrell, co-chief editors of the Bermuda Journal of Academic Research, welcomed people from around the world to submit research for the publication.

Mr Darrell, who recently earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Oxford, explained: “We’re encouraging a lot of our university friends to submit to the journal. On top of that, we’re expanding not just to the wider Caribbean, but to researchers from the US, Canada and UK as well, so they can be incentivised to publish in our journal so it’s accessible to every Bermudian and average policymaker here.

“We think that a world where academia is more accessible and readily available in Bermuda is one where we get better policies, better outcomes and better discourse on the island that goes beyond the comment section on Facebook.”

Ms Lanthier, who is pursuing a master’s degree in psychology from Columbia University, added: “A lot of the policies in Bermuda and standards used in medical practice are based on norms and data from overseas, so we hope that creating this journal will create the space for more local data to be collected to better inform our policies and those standards.”

Carika Weldon, a scientist, Daniel Cavanagh, chief researcher at the Bermuda College, and Frankco Harris, a criminologist, discussed their research during the journal’s procurement event at the college on August 13.

Mr Darrell said people have been receptive to the free journal, adding: “We haven't had any entities or individuals who have tried to hinder us or say, ‘This isn’t the right way.’

“I think, in general, the island appreciates that the more different forms of discourse that we can have, the better.”

About eight procurement editors are reviewing aspiring research work ahead of the publication’s first edition, set to come out in in early 2026, while experts from various disciplines will examine peer review submissions.

Ms Lanthier explained: “A lot of people have reached out to us expressing interest in being peer reviewers but we’re waiting until we’re finished collecting submissions, and are going to put out a call for specific disciplines that we received submissions for.”

Mr Darrell said: “Since aspiring researchers are going to be less academic, in the sense that we’re not expecting professional research, [reviewers] can be more flexible and don’t have to be discipline-specific.

“The sort of submissions we’re expecting in that category are high-schoolers submitting papers from class, people who read the news and think of something they want to research, and community research.”

The deadline for all submissions was originally August 29 but has been extended to September 30.

Mr Darrell does not know how many pieces will make it into the first edition but said the team may place others in reserves for future ones, which he hopes can be published annually.

He said: “We’re willing to come to your average Bermudian who wants to learn more, so don’t feel like you can’t engage, because everyone can and should try to engage with this initiative. We think it’s beneficial that everyone does.”

• For more information, visitbermudajournal.org about the journal and how to submit work