Sorry, I won't use it: search is the only way to let your users discover the content that THEY ARE LOOKING FOR (and maybe to engage) instead of JUST CONSUMING content pushed by others or algorithm...
Well, I'll be happy to use it when some kind of search will be implemented (even google search!)
The thing is: as mentionned in other comments, research papers may spread really different fields... so some kind of either search or category may help to find good content wrt specific knowledges.
Sorry, I won't use it: search is the only way to let your users discover the content that THEY ARE LOOKING FOR (and maybe to engage) instead of JUST CONSUMING content pushed by others or algorithm...