Scientific Writing & Publishing for Postdocs

This training wants to help researchers navigate their way through the publication process. Topics that will be addressed are:

Introduction

A chance to consider why you might want to publish in peer reviewed journals. (Presentation, discussion in pairs and the whole group.)

Writing style

Guidance on the writing style needed for research papers. (Presentation, discussion, exercise rewriting sample sentences.)

The writing process

Overview of the process of writing, including techniques for getting motivated, getting into the habit of writing and getting feedback. (Presentation and discussion.)

The structure of the paper

The usual structure of research papers and common variations. (Presentation, discussion, exercise analysing a paper.)

Title and abstract

Guidance on writing titles and abstracts and avoiding common errors, and a chance to write your own abstract and get feedback on it. (Presentation, analysis exercise, writing exercise, one-to-one coaching.)

Choosing a journal

The criteria to think about when choosing a journal, such as scope, audience, speed of review and publication, open access options, impact metrics, charges. (Presentation, discussion and exercise investigating websites of journals you might submit to.)

The peer review process: before, during and after

Presentation with questions on negotiating the peer review process, responding to decisions including rejection, and what to do when your paper is accepted and published, particularly publicising it.

Publicising your paper

Why publicising is necessary and the different ways to do it, including social media. (Presentation and discussion.)