The Research Publication Track (RPT) is the pinnacle of scholarly engagement at The Psychological Foundry for Human Development Initiative. It is an intensive, two-year, fifteen (15) hours per week, high-contact fellowship designed for one purpose: to turn a promising research idea into a submission-ready, peer-reviewed journal manuscript.

This is not a theoretical course; it is a practical, "brutal," and deeply supportive journey. We provide the structure, expert one-on-one mentorship, and advanced statistical and writing workshops. You bring the passion, research question, and commitment. This is where the next generation of indigenous Nigerian psychological science is built.

For too long, brilliant theses and vital research ideas have remained locked in university archives, failing to reach the global peer-reviewed literature. The RPT was created to tackle this issue systematically. Our mission is to support indigenous psychological research by providing a rigorous and supportive infrastructure for publication. All research published through this track will recognise The Psychological Foundry for Human Development Initiative (PFI) as the affiliated organisation, fostering a lasting, collective legacy of Nigerian scholarship. The PFI Directorate of Research and Innovation oversees this track, which is exclusively open to active members of the PFI Catalyst Programme.

This is not a lecture series. It is a two-year, cohort-based foundry designed to take any PFI member with a spark of curiosity, from an undergraduate Vanguard Fellow to a postgraduate scholar, and a non-psychology Cornerstone Professional, and meticulously forge them into a proficient, independent professional researcher.

This is not a lecture series. It is a two-year, cohort-based foundry designed to take any PFI member with a spark of curiosity, from an undergraduate Vanguard Fellow to a postgraduate scholar, and a non-psychology Cornerstone Professional, and carefully mould them into a skilled, independent professional researcher.

The goal is simple and "brutally" ambitious: to guide you from your initial research interest, through every stage of scientific inquiry, to the final submission of a ready-for-publication manuscript to a peer-reviewed, international journal.

This track is for the curious, the diligent, and the brave. It is for those who not only want to learn but also want to create.

This fellowship spans 24 months, divided into four six-month terms. Each term involves an in-depth exploration of a key aspect of the research process, including a schedule of approximately 42 workshops over five months and a final month dedicated to capstone projects and breaks.

Semester 1 (Months 1-6): The Foundation. This semester is a thorough exploration of research basics. Fellows are trained from the ground up to identify genuine research gaps, master academic writing and literature synthesis, and develop their arguments, culminating in a complete "Chapter 1 (Introduction)" and "Chapter 2 (Literature Review)" for their personal project.

Semester 2 (Months 7-12): The Blueprint. This is an intensive 6-month masterclass on "Chapter 3 (Methodology)." Fellows learn research paradigms, measurement techniques, cross-cultural validation, research design, and sampling methods. The semester's final "exam' involves submitting their full 3-chapter proposal to an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for ethical approval.

Semester 3 (Months 13-18): The Engine Room. This 6-month semester offers an in-depth focus on "Chapter 4 (Results)." Fellows acquire skills in statistics and data analysis, practising on datasets while awaiting their IRB approval ('the lag"). When their own data becomes available ('the pivot"), they apply their new skills in real-time, learning to clean, analyse, and write up their findings for both quantitative (T-tests, ANOVA, Regression) and qualitative (Thematic Analysis) projects.

Semester 4 (Months 19-24): The Manuscript and Nexus. This final semester concentrates on "Chapter 5 (Discussion)" and publication. Fellows learn to interpret their findings, compose a complete manuscript, and navigate the academic publishing landscape. It also includes the mandatory "Nexus Service," where Fellows contribute by acting as Teaching Assistants for the new Year 1 cohort, which helps reinforce their mastery. 

This fellowship is the highest form of scholarly involvement at PFI. It is available to all active members of the PFI Catalyst Programme.

No Experience Needed: This fellowship is based on a "novice to proficiency" curriculum. It is specifically created for complete beginners and early-stage scholars. Whether you are a Vanguard Fellow who has never written a paper or a member of the Scholars Enclave looking to improve your skills, this track will support you regardless of your starting point.

All Pathways Accepted: A research mindset is not confined to a single discipline. This track welcomes all PFI members, including our Cornerstone Corps. A marketer in the Cornerstone pathway can utilise this fellowship to carry out a novel study on consumer behaviour; a designer can explore the psychology of user experience.

The "Dual-Application" Requirement: The RPT is a specialised track within PFI. As a result, applicants must also simultaneously apply to (or already be a member of) the PFI Catalyst Programme. The RPT requires its own separate, detailed application. 

This fellowship is a profound commitment to your own growth. We are seeking individuals who possess passion, diligence, and a genuine curiosity.

Application Materials

Separate RPT Application: A detailed form specific to the fellowship.

A Statement of Research Interest (SoRI): We do not expect a perfect proposal. We expect your idea to change. This statement is to demonstrate your readiness, your curiosity, and your passion for the research process.

An Academic Writing Sample: This can be any piece of writing that showcases your skills (e.g., a term paper, a course paper, a project you have completed, or your thesis). We would like to assess your current ability to articulate thoughts in writing.

The Commitment

Time: An average of fifteen (15) hours per week for two years.

Workshops: Mandatory attendance at two (2), two-hour (2) hands-on workshops per week.

Membership: You must be an active, accepted member of the PFI Catalyst Programme to apply and participate in the RPT or apply simultaneously to the Catalyst Programme.

This is the forge. If you are ready to be built, we invite you to apply.

A fellowship of this calibre is not built on curriculum alone. It is built on the wisdom, experience, and guidance of established leaders.

The Research Publication Track (RPT) is actively seeking senior academics, researchers, and expert practising professionals to serve as master artisans for our foundry. This is a formal invitation to "send the elevator back down." It is a call to help forge the next generation of rigorous, ethical, and innovative Nigerian researchers. This is a high-impact, professional service to our field, offering an opportunity to build a lasting legacy.

We have two distinct, essential roles for senior experts.

Role 1: The Project Mentor (The 1-on-1 Supervisor)

As a Project Mentor, you serve as the primary guide for an RPT Fellow. You will be paired with one or two Fellows (depending on your speciality) and serve as their primary supervisor throughout their two-year journey. You will be their first point of contact—the expert who guides their "Gap Defence" in Semester 1, provides vital feedback on their methodology in Semester 2, helps troubleshoot their analysis in Semester 3, and advises on journal submission in Semester 4.

Who We Need: Senior academics, researchers, and practitioners with a strong publication record and a passion for personalised mentorship.

The Commitment: This is a significant two-year relationship, which can be managed flexibly. It requires an average of 2-4 hours per month, per Fellow, through virtual meetings and asynchronous draft reviews.

Role 2: The Workshop Facilitator (The Expert Instructor)

As a Workshop Facilitator, you are our "expert-in-residence" for a specific, practical skill. This is a high-impact, short-term role suited for experts eager to share their mastery. You will be invited to design and lead one (or more) 2-hour, hands-on masterclasses for our cohorts on a topic you have perfected.

Who We Need: Experts with deep, practical knowledge in a specific domain. Examples include: Literature Review, Citation and Referencing, Advanced Statistical Analysis (e.g., Regression in R, Bayesian), Qualitative Methods (e.g., Thematic Analysis in NVivo, Grounded Theory), Cross-Cultural Instrument Validation, Navigating the "Revise and Resubmit" (R&R) Process, and Writing an "Introduction to R" workshop.

The Commitment: This is a short-term engagement. Fellows will prepare and deliver a 2-hour virtual workshop. We will coordinate with you to schedule it at your convenience.

Join Us

You do not need to be a PFI Catalyst Programme member to serve in this expert role. We actively seek and welcome external expertise to enrich our community. If you are ready to help us build the future of psychology, we would be honoured to have you.