At the Bermuda Journal of Academic Research, our mission is simple but bold: we want to create a space where research can be shared widely, inform public discussions, and spark cultural and intellectual growth.

Starting BJAR with Kyaida Lanthier was a personal journey. Bermuda is my home and as a child I saw it as a place unmatched in beauty and community spirit. That beauty is still here — but I have noticed that the sense of togetherness feels like it is fading. Many Bermudians seem disconnected from island life.

This occurs because of the rising costs of being engaged. These costs include not only money but also the social and emotional energy needed to participate in culture and share ideas. For example, it is expensive to enrol children in local activities such as Gombey dancing, sailing or cricket. And it can be difficult for people without status or connections to get their voices heard. The confluence of these barriers drive the disconnect between Bermudians and their island.

One of the biggest challenges is the cost of living. Bermuda is one of the most expensive places to live, and that hits especially hard when there are big gaps between incomes. Back in 2000, Bermuda had relatively low-income inequality — on par with places such as Germany. But by 2016, inequality had worsened, putting us closer to countries like the United States and the Philippines. Our economy has grown, but not everyone has shared in the benefits equally. That inequality leads to frustration and, for many, a desire to leave.

We need local solutions to these local problems. And many Bermudians are already doing this work. In my own graduate research, I have explored how the growth of our international business sector can worsen inequality. Others, such as Frankco Harris — a doctoral student in criminology at Oxford — are studying how social and economic factors influence gang violence. There are many other Bermudian researchers engaging with academia to develop answers for Bermuda’s biggest challenges.

Such local-led research into Bermudian-borne issues is the way.

BJAR can bridge the gap between policymakers and researchers, and help to reduce our island’s reliance on other countries’ policies — we can innovate.

Given our journal’s interdisciplinary nature, this need not apply only to the cost-of-living and other socioeconomic issues. We face growing health challenges, given the island’s ageing population, and environmental concerns which also deserve attention in local dialogue and which affect Bermudians’ feelings towards their island.

In addition, the removal of barriers to platforming ideas is necessary for stopping the disconnect. A 2014 policy paper from the United Nations Development Programme highlighted how close-knit relations are key determinants of private and public activity in small-island developing states. This necessarily affects policy discussion and development in Bermuda because relationships and status imply different abilities to access platforms and share ideas. For individuals without access, there is therefore a greater chance of disillusionment.

Entities such as Bermuda Youth Connect and Bermuda Is Love have been doing significant work to break down these barriers and stir up engagement among the general public. BJAR adds to this by providing an additional space for peer-reviewed academic research. We also broaden access to the general public with our “Aspiring Researcher” section, where articles are not peer-reviewed, to encourage the submission of research proposals and research from non-academics. To further ensure that pieces are selected by their quality, we use a blind editorial process.

Creating this space, where people feel their ideas are valued, is important because it keeps them connected to their home. Hence, BJAR isn’t just a journal; it’s our community platform, a place where research can both inform policy and deepen our cultural understanding. For example, Frankco Harris includes interviews with locals in his work, creating a strong link between research and lived experience. And not all research needs to lead to policy change. A 2024 project collaboration between Trinity College in Connecticut and the Warwick Gombeys shows how research can also celebrate and preserve our culture.

To sum up: Bermuda is a special place, but to keep it vibrant, we need to reconnect with it. Research can help us do that. With BJAR, Kyaida, our team of editors and I hope to give ideas the space to grow — and help Bermuda grow with them.

We cannot do it alone. We need your support. Whether you are submitting research, sending in cover art for our first issue or simply sharing our work with others, every bit helps. Let’s build something together.

• If you are interested or have questions, we will be hosting our inaugural procurement event tomorrow at the Butterfield & Vallis Conference Centre, Bermuda College, from 5.30pm to 8pm. You may also reach us at researchjournalbda@gmail.com or visit www.bermudajournal.org.

• Ywione Darrell is recent MSc Economics for Development graduate from the University of Oxford, achieving an overall merit and distinction in his dissertation. His primary research interests are in offshore finance, the Dutch Disease, and small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. Ywione can be reached via e-mail: ywione@hotmail.com