How to Improve Your Academic Writing

05 November 2026

Navigating Your Career

How to Improve Your Academic Writing

Latest Blogs

Finding a Mentor in Academia

11 June 2026

NetworkingNavigating Your Career

Finding a Mentor in Academia

A career in academia requires a lot of time, energy, and commitment. Particularly for early-career scholars, finding a mentor in academia to offer support and guidance can make a big impact on a person’s career and professional development. A mentorship in academia can be a very meaningful relationship for early-career scholars. Their academic advisor can help manage and navigate different aspects of their personal and professional life from the perspective of someone who has already gone through it. This article explores what a mentor is, the importance of mentorship in academia, and what the various roles a mentor can take on are. It also offers some strategic steps as you begin your search for a mentor, including determining goals, doing research, and reaching out for an initial point of contact. Whether you are participating in a mentorship program, or pursuing a more informal arrangement, both can have a significant impact on your professional development. Mentorship in academia In general terms, a mentor is typically a more senior individual in a particular field taking a person with less experience under their wing. Essentially, the mentorship relationship brings together two people, the mentor and mentee, with differing experience levels. A strong mentorship supports a junior scholar’s professional development and personal growth. There are high expectations for scholars to conduct and publish research, as well as teach and present at conferences. A mentor acts like an academic advisor to help junior scholars through these processes. A mentorship relationship can be an official, formalized professional relationship between a more and less experienced scholar. Some institutions and departmental programs offer a mentorship program that you can apply to take part in. In other cases, mentorships may be more informal. You might connect with someone through virtual or in-person networking or by meeting at a conference. Putting in the time and effort to develop different professional relationships can open the door to an academic mentorship. Depending on the situation and the people involved, a mentorship can be a long-term and rewarding professional relationship. In other cases, mentors may offer to collaborate only on certain projects. The importance of mentorship in academia A mentorship in academia helps to nurture intergenerational connections. For early-career scholars, the importance of mentorship relates to academic advice and professional development received from more seasoned members of their field. This kind of relationship can greatly shape a person’s perspective and career moving forward. Mentorship gives junior scholars the opportunity to learn from those more senior in their field in a more personal, one-on-one setting. As scholars at different stages of their careers are brought together, a mentor provides historical knowledge, guidance, and perspective. Mentors can offer a variety of supports and insights, including personal and professional career advice. As a result, those taking new steps, like applying to conferences or submitting their first paper to peer review, can be more prepared. Undoubtedly, those newer to academia also have much to share, bringing with them a different perspective and ideas for innovation. This intergenerational knowledge sharing can be hugely impactful for all involved. It’s worth noting that not everyone in academia is looking for mentorship, or to be a mentor. Some people you interact with may be keen to collaborate, whereas others prefer working independently. And some simply don’t have enough time or energy to take on any more responsibilities. Finding a mentor Knowing the importance of mentorship in academia can make finding an academic advisor an intimidating task. It’s important to be intentional and strategic in your approach. If you are serious about finding someone to provide you with academic advice, there are a few steps to take before you make initial contact. Keep these in mind as you begin your search. Determine your goals To start the process of finding a mentor, take some time for self-reflection. Brainstorm some ideas of what kind of work you have already done and would like to pursue. What are your goals for this mentorship? What kind of collaboration would be best for you to help achieve your professional goals? Think about what kind of mentor would be best for you, from different angles. Don’t only think about leading experts in your field. Consider different aspects of the working relationship, like personality fit and work style, as well as important practicalities like location, availability, and access to funding. You might already have someone in your sphere, like a supervisor, advisor, or co-researcher, who could be a great fit. Do your research Once you have a sense of what kind of academic advisor you would like to help you achieve your goals, you can start to research what opportunities may be available. Do some online searching to see if there are any official mentorship programs offered at your institution. If not, are there other opportunities you could pursue? Are there scholars in your department that you already know who might fit the bill? Do you have a professional contact in common that you could ask to make an introduction? Networking and actively reaching out to your academic connections can offer a lot of insights. Finding the right academic advisor may take a bit of time. Those you reach out to simply may not be available or able to work with you. It can be disappointing to receive a “no,” or to receive no response at all. But that doesn’t mean that someone else wouldn’t be excited to mentor you, and they may even be a better fit. Reach out When you do reach out to a potential mentor, you want to make a personal connection, but keep it professional. Potential mentors will want some key things about you before they consider working with you. In an initial message, you should briefly explain your interests, experience, and goals as they relate to the person you are reaching out to. Provide clear and concise points. Be strategic, but also be honest about your skills and capacity. One way to find a mentor is to “cold call” a scholar through an initial email message. There may also be instances where reaching out over social media, through their professional webpage, or even in person if you have the opportunity, works just as well. Stay in touch After you make an initial successful connection in your journey to finding a mentor, make a plan to stay in touch to continue building the relationship. Follow up promptly. Be available to answer any questions or concerns that may arise. And don’t be discouraged if finding a mentor takes a bit more time. As your career continues to grow, new opportunities will arise and your professional circle will expand. And SciProfiles is a perfect place to start your research, and even to reach out and make a connection with potential mentors.

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Three Tips to Getting Published as a Young Academic

28 May 2026

Navigating Your Career

Three Tips to Getting Published as a Young Academic

It is always challenging to be at the beginning of your career—young academics often feel like they have a great deal that they need to prove. In fact, many of your mentors, teachers, and in some cases “now-colleagues” have already established their own reputations. Publish or perish, as the saying goes. It is critical for you to contribute to the academic world so that you can start to make an impact on your field. Right? Getting published means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, even in the world of academic publishing. For some, this might mean a conference paper. For others, it might mean a full-length book or monograph. Yet, for the majority of people it means to getting research published in a reputable academic journal of some kind. Even “which journal” can be a complicated question as well (and we’ll touch on this shortly). Here, we’re going to go over three different tips to help young academics to get published. As with most things, these aren’t silver bullets. They are best practices that can help you to make informed and logical decisions to start to navigate the publishing world to help your career. Why academic publishing matters It goes without saying that academic publishing is a critical part of the academic space as a whole. The research that gets published in journals and books help to inform and grow research spaces. In 1675, Sir Isaac Newton said that “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”—the work that preceded his own was critical to his own success. In addition to the vast contributions that research makes to any given field. the cumulative nature of science and research means that today’s results are tomorrow’s breakthroughs. At a personal level though, academic publishing contributes to the career of an academic in many ways. For example, getting research published can directly impact your career through your ability to get specific jobs or grants from institutions. Getting tenure often relies on (though not exclusively) a strong publishing history. The academic world is very challenging, and getting tenured isn’t easy. Young academics are at a disadvantage in this sense because they don’t often have extensive publishing histories. To help, here are three tips to keep in mind: Know the academic publishing landscape for your field; Figure out where you want to get published; Target and focus on the goal. Let’s touch on these all in a bit more detail. Understanding the academic publishing landscape as a young academic There’s a good chance that, as a young academic, you’ve heard certain journal names over the years. Perhaps you’ve read articles from those journals in your own career. Debatably, one of the most famous academic journals in the world is Nature—and for some people, getting published in this journal is a professional goal for them. But getting published in this journal is immensely challenging, even for seasoned academics. Aside from the different journals, there are different types of journals. Do you want to be published in a traditional journal or do you want to pursue open access publishing? Unlike open access publications, traditionally published articles can be gated behind paywalls. But publishing in open access can incur a cost to the authors (usually paid for by the funds that also paid for the research). While institutions are usually the ones that pay the article processing costs associated with open access, there are still questions of reputation that come up. It is worth noting that open access publishing has been around for decades and that not all concerns are valid at this point. Needless to say, there are many elements to academic publishing, and while some might be news to you, they might not all matter. Still, this is part of your journey. Learn about the different types of publishing (and the different types of open access as well) and see if this matters to you in your publishing journey. What does your academic field look like? Not all academic fields look the same. In fact, because of the wide range of resources allocated to different fields, they might be very different. From the money available to a department, to the costs associated with open access publishing, the dollar value can vary greatly. Generally speaking, highly competitive fields (biology, robotics, and other similar “hard sciences”) tend to have quite a few resources. The humanities, however, tend to have less. This also is reflected in the cost to publish in open access, where publishing a humanities research paper might cost five times less than a science paper. Learn about your field and understand the landscape. In particular, you might want to consider what differences exist to better understand how they matter to journal publishers. Which are the big journals? Which are the ones you should avoid? By understanding which are competitive journals for you to consider, you can start looking at our next tip. Figure out where to get published Getting published in the academic publishing world can take a bit of time. But, now that you understand the landscape a little bit more, you can start to narrow down your options. Prof. Mauro Giudici, in an article about considerations for writing and submitting manuscripts makes the following recommendations: 1) Checking the aims and scope of the journal; 2) Assessing the quality of the journal, based not only on the bibliometric indicators, but also on the quality of the published papers and the international recognition of the editorial board; 3) Performing a sincere and genuine assessment of the innovative content of the work to be submitted; 4) Checking the types of papers that are published by the journal. As we noted above, understanding the landscape matters, but the journals themselves matter as well. Are they a good fit for your article? On the one hand, you want to make sure that your article matches because you want it to get accepted, but a journal that will take any article (even if they don’t match the scope well) might be a journal to consider avoiding. Target and focus on the goal Now that you’ve selected your ideal journals, you need to get more specific. Look at the journal submission requirements. Examine what expectations are placed on you as the author of an article. Do you need to do editing on the research or will that be covered later? Will submitting using a template provided by the journal increase your odds of acceptance (which is different from getting published)? Many journals have submission guidelines. These guidelines may have “red lines” in them, which can eliminate your manuscript from consideration regardless of the content or quality of your work. Learning a little bit about what these types of guidelines are to increase your chances of success. Another tool to consider would be a lay summary. While these are not mandatory for many journals, having one might help an editor to understand the importance and value of your work. Finally, one of the most important things to do is to keep focused. Rejection doesn’t mean that your research is not valuable. In fact, many rejections have nothing to do with the actual research itself. This is why it is important to have a list of potential journals to submit to. Stay focused. Keep at it. At the end of the day, you’ll be successful if you put in the effort.

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Leveraging Social Media as a Tool for Education

21 May 2026

NetworkingThe Latest in Global Science

Leveraging Social Media as a Tool for Education

Social media has become very normal in our day-to-day lives. It has become intuitive to many of us, especially younger generations who grew up with it. Most students in higher education are already online and consuming all kinds of (mis)information. And people are finding and sharing scientific research on social media more than ever. Today, scholars are using academic and non-academic social media as venues for public education. Additionally, they are bringing social media into their classrooms. This article explores how social media can be leveraged as a teaching tool. Taking a medium that students in higher education are already using makes the process more relevant to their lives. Social media and popular education Social media has a significant influence on the world today. Increased use of virtual platforms has seen scientific information circulating more quickly. Making academic work more transferable to a mainstream audience is important. In particular, using social media helps to further the reach and impact of scientific ideas to more mainstream audiences. The sheer amount of information posted online means it can be hard to figure out what is real or not. Providing more mainstream scientific content can reach social media users as a form of popular education. This encourages critical thinking and combats disinformation. Online platforms like SciProfiles offer a space for scholars to promote their work and build community. Some also seek to build a bigger online presence to extend the reach of their work and diversify their audience. Scholars can use their social media accounts to share their research as a forum for popular education. For instance, you could adapt slides or resources from your teaching and research program for social media. There are also drawbacks to having a public presence (privacy concerns, increased scrutiny, copyright limitations). You’re under no obligation to join any particular site(s). Pick those that best suit your needs and goals. For instance, using a more limited or invite-only platform can mean a more private and safer space. Social media as a teaching tool for the classroom In addition to your public academic presence, social media can be used in a more contained way as part of the classroom. It is a valuable tool to build skills related to research, collaboration, and critical thinking. Studies show that integrating social media into education has positive impacts on students. By using it in the curriculum, different aspects of coursework can include the use of social media. Most courses do have an online component. In these cases, students are automatically enrolled in a course-specific webpage. However, these are often limited in functionality and not necessarily user-friendly. So, a social media site might provide a more engaging space for student discussion. Accessing relevant educational content online and sharing their own ideas creates a mini community for your students. It can be a useful and fun way to meet students where they are at. Ways to incorporate social media into your course There are many different ways to include social media as part of your course. It can be time-limited and used for a certain assignment. Or, it can be used throughout the semester for general discussion. A few suggestions are included here: Create an online venue (for example, a course-specific hashtag, a specific post for discussion, or within a private Facebook group) for students to post and comment on each other’s work. Having students create their own educational content (a short video, a slide show, etc.) to share on social media. They can use research studies from coursework. This can help target different learning styles and a more lay audience. Getting students to research and engage with relevant scholars and scientific communities. This can build gaps in knowledge and help them to understand the broader academic landscape. Using SciProfiles Finally, for those working with graduate students or in a professional educational setting, SciProfiles can be the venue for this kind of education. It is members-only, free to sign up, and brings with it plenty of relevant information. SciProfiles offers a semi-private forum focused specifically on scientific research. Participants can discuss and engage with posted content as part of their coursework. Depending on your discipline and context, many of the students or group members may already have a SciProfiles account. (Or, for those who aren’t, it’s easy to register.) Leveraging social media in this way increases scientific literacy by tailoring it for different audiences. It can also enhance and expand research and teaching practices. And, in turn, this engagement empowers students to use the tools available to them in responsible ways.

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How to Improve Academic Publishing Efficiency: A Practical Guide

12 May 2026

Navigating Your Career

How to Improve Academic Publishing Efficiency: A Practical Guide

Publishing research can often feel uncertain. You may spend months on a paper, only to face delays, mixed feedback, or rejection. It is easy to assume that success depends mainly on writing stronger papers. In reality, efficiency in publishing comes from how you manage the entire process. This article brings together practical insights from an experienced researcher, Prof. Cristian Randieri. It presents a more structured approach. Instead of treating each paper as a separate effort, it looks at how to improve decisions across key stages, from early visibility to submission and revision. Think about visibility early Once a stable workflow is in place, it is worth considering how and when your work should become visible. One option is to share your work as a preprint. It allows you to: Gain early visibility Receive feedback before journal review Establish a clear record of your contribution In many cases, the work becomes known before formal publication, which can support recognition and citation. However, this is not always the best approach. In highly competitive areas, or when results are easy to replicate, sharing too early may reduce your advantage. The key is to make a deliberate decision based on your priorities, rather than treating preprints as a default step. Position your paper for the right journal After clarifying visibility and timing, the next step is to decide where to submit your paper. Many papers are rejected not because they are weak, but because they are difficult to evaluate in the chosen venue. In these cases, the issue is not the quality of the work itself, but how it is positioned. Journal selection is, therefore, more about identifying the right audience. A more useful question to ask is not “Where does this paper fit?” but “Who will fully understand and value this work?” When a paper is read by reviewers who immediately recognize its contribution, the chances of a positive evaluation increase significantly. This becomes especially important for interdisciplinary research. When a paper sits between fields, reviewers may only see part of its value. As a result, the contribution can appear unclear or incomplete, even if the work itself is strong. Improving positioning starts with understanding how journals operate in practice. Looking at recent publications can reveal what types of contributions are typically valued and how they are presented. For example, some journals prioritize strong empirical validation, while others focus on conceptual clarity or system design. A mismatch in expectations is a common reason for rejection. In this sense, successful journal selection is not just about finding a suitable venue, but about ensuring that the paper is framed in a way that aligns with how that venue evaluates research. Treat peer review as a persuasion process Peer review can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to improve your work. A strong revision usually focuses on: Clarifying the main contribution Strengthening the positioning of the paper Making distinctions from prior work more explicit Some comments should always be addressed, especially those related to clarity, missing references, or methodology should always be addressed. Some comments may be subjective. In such cases, it is reasonable to respond with a clear explanation and a professional tone. If reviewers provide conflicting feedback, try to identify the main issue behind their comments. Often, it points to something in the paper that is not being communicated clearly. Editors are usually looking for a coherent improvement, rather than a literal response to every point. A well-argued revision strategy is more effective than a checklist approach. Use rejection as a diagnostic tool Repeated rejection can be discouraging, especially when the feedback is generally positive. In many cases, this does not point to a lack of quality, but to a mismatch between the paper and its target venue. Instead of making broad changes, it is more effective to diagnose what may not be working: Is the contribution clearly visible? Is the paper aligned with the expectations of the journal? Is the validation convincing enough? Reviewer comments are particularly valuable at this stage. They can be seen as external input that highlights where the paper is not fully convincing or where the message is unclear. By addressing these points systematically, each revision moves the paper closer to acceptance. If a paper has been rejected multiple times, it may be necessary to adjust the overall approach. This could involve reframing the contribution, strengthening key sections, or targeting a different audience where the work is a better fit. Importantly, rejection should be viewed as a normal part of the publishing process, even for strong papers, rather than a final judgment on quality. Conclusions Improving publishing efficiency is not about working harder on individual papers. It is about building a system that supports consistent progress. By thinking carefully about visibility, maintaining a continuous workflow, choosing the right audience, and responding effectively to feedback, publishing becomes more manageable and consistent. Over time, this approach leads to better outcomes and a more sustainable way of working. Disclaimer The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are based on discussions shared during the SciProfiles Ask Me Anything session and reflect the views of the respective participants. These views do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of MDPI or its employees. MDPI takes no responsibility for the content or ideas expressed in this article. Last updated on: July 25, 2026

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1977

The Importance and Benefits of Attending Academic Conferences

30 April 2026

NetworkingNavigating Your Career

The Importance and Benefits of Attending Academic Conferences

Attending a conference, and especially presenting work at a conference, is a rite of passage in anyone’s academic career. Here, we provide an overview of academic conferences. This includes the benefits of attending as well as some potential challenges to address. It’s a chance to network, promote your work, get feedback, and practice important skills. The benefits of academic conference attendance Attending academic conferences is an exciting opportunity to meet with others in your field. They can be small, local endeavours, or large, international initiatives—and everything in between. There are plenty of benefits to attending a conference. These include opportunities to: Promote your work; Get some practice; Network and make connections; Receive feedback from your peers; Share ideas with others. Attendance at academic conferences is vital, whatever stage you’re at in your career. Whether you are looking to attend or to present your work, you gain exposure to and engagement with academic communities. Students and early-career researchers Those attending and/or presenting at a conference for the first time will likely have different conference experiences than those who have been doing it for a long time. But everyone was new to academia at some point, so embrace these formative learning moments. Other than in a classroom or with close colleagues, this may be the first opportunity for some to present their work. Junior scholars and students can start small, attending a local conference or a smaller seminar series. It’s a good chance to get some practice. Senior scholars Many senior or more experienced scholars have plenty of experience at academic conferences. As a result, they likely have different goals than others who attend because of their seniority and expertise. Just as we hope that the younger generation can bring a fresh perspective, experienced scholars offer valuable historical knowledge. This often comes with additional responsibility and obligations. This may include chairing a panel, being an invited speaker, and giving a keynote talk. Offering mentorship to the younger generation builds on the work that came before. Encouraging your own graduate students and less experienced colleagues to participate in academic conferences can go a long way. Inviting them to relevant talks or attending theirs can be an important show of support. Submitting your work to an academic conference Like other aspects of academia, applying to present your work at an academic conference involves strategy, preparation, and organization. Research relevant conferences and find a suitable topic, or tailor your work to those provided. Select those conferences that fit well with your work and that you can fulfill their guidelines. Strategizing in the application process will increase your chances of being accepted. While there are similarities, each conference has its own set of norms and expectations. Do your research and don’t assume that a submission for one conference can be used for another. Guidelines are strict. Applications can be confusing. And ot all work considered for the conference will end up on the official agenda. If a submission isn’t accepted, don’t lose hope. Some kind of rejection happens to everyone. Take some time to review any feedback received and reflect on how you can improve for next time. You could also ask a trusted colleague to review your work. And you’re still encouraged to register as a conference participant. Getting some more experience in the field will help with future submissions. Also, be sure you consider potential challenges. This might includes high conference fees, as well as expenses for travel, accommodations, food, etc. Check with the conference organizers or related member associations. They may offer an early-bird discount or special pricing for students and low-income and marginalized groups. Academic networking and making connections Networking at academic conferences is key, particularly for those taking place in person. Connections made can spark friendships or professional collaborations that go beyond the event itself. Virtual conferences have become much more common, particularly since the COVID-19 lockdowns. These offer certain benefits. For example, online conferences don’t require any travel, food, or accommodations. In addition, scholars who may ordinarily not be able to attend for a variety of reasons are able to participate. Still, in-person conferences offer more face-to-face time and a different experience than online. It’s important to note that some have a hybrid option to make attendance more accessible. Networking is a key driver of potential research collaborations and partnerships. Making connections and sharing ideas happen during conference proceedings, as well as during any organized social events or at mealtimes. This is why some choose to stay at the conference hotel. Accommodations are often offered to attendees at a group rate, and it’s convenient for attending panels. When needed, you can return to your room in between sessions without leaving the conference site. Those who may be more extroverted can thrive in this area. However, don’t be discouraged if it takes you some time to become more comfortable in this kind of setting. Preparing to attend an academic conference Once you have confirmed your attendance, you can start preparing to make the most of your conference experience. If you’re presenting, be sure to prepare your work before you arrive. Be careful not to leave it all to the last minute. Trying to wing it can work if you’re lucky, but it’s not the best plan of action for presenting strong work. Once it’s available, download the conference agenda. Here, you can see who you are presenting alongside and get a sense of what events you might like to attend. If you’re particularly keen, you can do a bit of research beforehand. This might involve reading a paper beforehand or mentally preparing yourself to approach someone you admire. Taking note of potential opportunities, even just to say hello and introduce yourself, is a good way to dip your feet in. If you do happen to meet someone you connect with, follow up after the conference to solidify the relationship. No matter your level of experience, challenge yourself to attend an academic conference. All experience is good and will set you up for future success.

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How to Curate an Online Persona

16 April 2026

NetworkingNavigating Your Career

How to Curate an Online Persona

We all have a digital footprint. Whether it’s slightly embarrassing personal posts from your school days, or your latest scientific discovery, it’s available for all to see. It’s true that you can’t control everything that’s posted online. However, you can take some preemptive steps to put your best professional foot forward. Curating an online persona means presenting yourself in a way that is attractive to the audience you want to engage with. You are essentially managing how others can engage with you and your professional portfolio online. Think about what kind of information about you is online. When others Google you, what do you want them to see? When they view your professional profile or webpage, what do you want them to learn? Curating a persona and maintaining an online presence might feel like extra work, especially if you are less extroverted. But, if you put in some effort, you can build a strong network and professional reputation. What is an online persona? An online persona is an identity developed through creating and sharing information about yourself on virtual platforms. By “branding” yourself, you create a story of who you are to pique the interest of others. In the case of academic networking, an online persona is a kind of professional identity. It provides a clear image of who you are as a scholar or researcher. It’s also a chance for you to showcase your authentic interests and personality. Curating an online persona helps you to increase the visibility and discoverability of your work. It can also strengthen your connections and encourage networking and future collaborations. Building a suitable persona to help meet your goals can take some time and consideration. Reflecting on how you want to curate and present yourself is an important step. You can start by asking yourself what kind of connections you are hoping to make, and to what end. Who is your intended audience? How do your goals and interests align? What are you hoping to achieve with this online presence? In order to shape an online identity in academia, it’s essential to consider the context of your professional work and how you present yourself. Steps to curating an online persona There are some steps to take to help you make an intentional and strategic plan: Define your brand; Research your audience; Select online platforms; Make a plan. In the end, curating an online persona allows you to share your ideas in a targeted manner. It’s your chance to make a strong impression and draw people to your work. Define your brand Curating a persona involves a process of branding yourself and your work. It allows you to manage how people view you, to a certain extent. In other words, it’s you, and what you have to offer, that’s being marketed. You and your work are the “product” being sold. In a sense, your online brand is a kind of “elevator pitch” of your professional interests and aspirations. Part of this includes building consistent messaging across platforms that supports a broader picture of your professional trajectory. In addition to your SciProfiles account, coordinate the branding of yourself on other sites, like your institution-affiliated page or your own professional website. Research your audience When others find you online, you want them to be able to locate key information about you. You also want them to take an interest in your research. Tailor your academic profile to the specific platform you are using and the audience you are targeting. Spending some time researching your intended audience and how best to reach them is essential. What platforms does your intended audience use? How can you connect with your audience, or encourage them to connect with you? With your SciProfiles account, for example, you may be hoping to catch the eye of like-minded scholars in your discipline. Building an online professional network can lead to future opportunities like collaborating on a research project or co-authoring a paper. On the other hand, when creating your own website or building a presence on social media, you might present yourself differently because you are trying to reach a broader audience. Select online platforms Joining popular academic networking sites, such as SciProfiles and LinkedIn, is common. You may also want to research platforms that are specific to your discipline, institution, or other academic association. No matter what you decide, you get to choose the level of engagement. Some scholars maintain a minimal online presence. This might include making all social media accounts private and only sharing things related to their professional life. Others may embrace the virtual world by being very active online. Some scholars may even desire to be a kind of academic “influencer” on social media. This brings their personal and professional lives more into the non-academic sphere. Make a plan Users are likely sorting through multiple profiles at once or skimming their news feed. The sheer volume of content available can be overwhelming, and it is impossible to take it all in. This is why it’s so important to build a distinct presence that draws in your audience. On any online platform, your profile is often the first thing that others see. What might seem like an afterthought is an important opportunity to brand yourself. For instance, select a profile photo that positions you as professional and approachable. You might already have a recent academic headshot that you can use. A good way to get started is to update your profile and share ideas on your feed regularly. Be sure to post with intention, always keeping in mind what you are representing. Be careful not to overwhelm with too much information. Keep it clear, focused, and easy to understand. Take the time to respond to those who do reach out. Doing so in a genuine and collegial way will build more meaningful relationships. All of this helps to boost engagement on your own page. Of course, it’s essential that once you make a plan, you stick to it. An online persona is especially important when it comes to networking and making connections within the academic community. Harnessing its potential supports you in achieving your own goals. Whether it’s colleagues, students, collaborators, or potential employers, all may be looking to find information about you in an online search. And, if you’ve done your job right, your audience should be able to cut through the dearth of information available and find you. Last updated on: July 25, 2026

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How to Prepare a Manuscript for Submission

02 April 2026

Navigating Your Career

How to Prepare a Manuscript for Submission

Publishing academic work is a fundamental part of every scholar’s career. This might be your first attempt, or maybe you have been publishing for many years. No matter your level of experience, preparing a manuscript to submit to a journal can be both daunting and exciting. This article introduces the factors that authors should consider when deciding which journal to submit their work. By being strategic, focused, and detail-oriented, you can position your paper in line with the target journal. It also provides a brief overview of some of the general requirements for journal submission. Then, it walks you through the process of submitting a manuscript to a specific journal. Targeting your work You might already know which journal(s) you want to publish your work in. If you’re not sure, no need to worry. Either way, it’s important to take some time to figure out which journal is the best fit. To increase your chances of publication, evaluating your research and identifying the right journal are essential. Consider: What kind of work does the journal publish? What kind of article are you writing (a literature review, a research paper, etc.)? What is the relevance and contribution of your work to the discipline broadly, and to the journal in particular? There is a higher chance of publication if your work fits well with their scope and readership. So, target a certain journal and customize your paper accordingly. Also, being realistic and honest with yourself about your work is the ideal approach. Submitting a manuscript before it is ready and/or sending it to an inappropriate journal are two common mistakes. There are various factors to consider when choosing a journal: Aims and scope; Impact factor and reputation; Timeline of peer review and publication; Rejection rate; Open access or closed access; Article processing charge. In some cases, all of the factors are more or less equally considered. In others, one factor might make the difference. You might want to get work into the journal with the highest impact factor and the best reputation in your field. For others, it may be based on the aims and scope of the journal. Making choices for submission Whatever your decision, customizing your work to your target journal is the best path to successful publication. In many ways, it is best to know which journal you are submitting to before you start writing. Of course, though, this is not always possible. Many scholars may have already written a paper before they knew their target journal. If you are in this situation, you can approach this process in a couple of different ways. For example, you could figure out which journal(s) your work fits best with “as is.” If your work is in good shape and already fits particularly well with a publication, you may save time and energy. But, this may limit where you can send your work, and whether or not it is accepted. On the other hand, if there is a certain journal that you really want to publish in and you are willing to put in the work, you can “reverse engineer” the process. That is, you can revise the manuscript based on the specifications of that journal. While this can involve more time in revisions, it may increase the chances of publication. General guidelines Most journals consider original manuscripts that fulfill all the required elements. The submitted work should not be published or under consideration elsewhere. Papers previously posted as preprints, as long as they have not undergone peer review, are often also submitted. While you can expect to find some standard practices, each journal has its own set of requirements. Journals have extensive instructions for authors available on their website, so you can follow the guidelines to the letter. Any missing or incorrect information may result in a paper being rejected outright, before peer review. This is why it is so important to have a good point person as the corresponding author(s). They are entrusted with the responsibility of taking you and your colleagues through the publication process. This includes ensuring that the paper has been finalized and approved by all authors. And you may be asked to submit a brief cover letter to provide further context. Manuscripts reporting studies involving human participants must include a statement of informed consent. In addition, there are ethical requirements for conducting studies with human and/or animal subjects. Authors must also declare all conflicts of interest. It’s also important to check whether or not a specific journal charges an article processing fee. This may include minor English editing, and authors may be able to purchase an extensive editing package if desired. Payment should be arranged at the time of submission. Before you begin After completing your manuscript, but before starting your submission, double-check the journal’s checklist to ensure you include all required elements. Authors are typically not required to follow a certain section order. However, an introduction, materials and methods, data results and analysis, and a conclusion are essential components. Check to see if authors are required to: use a particular reference and formatting style, if there is a template available to use, and what kinds of supplementary documentation are needed. Authors are typically encouraged to include a short professional biography that includes institutional affiliation. You can also suggest three particular reviewers with expertise in your field (though the editor is under no obligation to select from this list). Example of step-by-step submission Before you begin, ensure that the paper has been finalized and approved by all authors. Authors can download the specific Word or LaTeX template for Cancers to use. Gather any necessary documentation, such as graphs, figures, data, etc., that will be included with the Supplementary Materials. What are the formatting requirements? What reference style is preferred? And what are the required elements of each manuscript? While this is not the case for all journals, Cancers accepts free format submission. This means that authors may use any citation style, as long as it is consistent. Authors are encouraged to include a short professional biography that includes their institutional affiliation. Manuscripts reporting studies involving human participants must include a statement of informed consent for participation in research. There are also specific ethical requirements for conducting studies with human and animal subjects. Authors must also declare all conflicts of interest. You can also suggest three particular reviewers with expertise in your field (though the editor is under no obligation to select from this list). Step-by-step submission Here is a guide to navigating the easy-to-follow process of submitting a manuscript through MDPI’s submission system. You can save your work as you go. Just click the “Save” or “Save & Continue” button on the bottom right of your screen at any time. First, sign in to your Susy account. Once you have done that, select “Dashboard” on the top left column, and then “Submit Manuscript” on the right. The system will navigate you to a drop-down menu for journal selection. Once selected, core information about the journal will be shown on your screen. This includes its impact factor, average number of days to receive a first decision, and manuscript templates. Now that you are on the page for the specific journal, scroll down to upload your files: manuscript, cover letter, and any supplementary materials. As you can see below, there are different sections for this additional documentation. This includes graphs, figures, and any other media. Once you have completed this information, click “Save & Continue” at the bottom right of your screen. Next, complete the manuscript information section (abstract, title, keywords). Then, complete the author information (affiliation, email, country, etc.). At this stage, authors can suggest potential reviewers for their paper. And, finally, complete the various disclosure statements. Click “Save & Continue.” You have now filled out all required elements and successfully submitted your manuscript. Waiting after submission Now you wait until the first decision from the journal. If you are successful, the next step is peer review, and then on to production from there. Having seen how to navigate manuscript submission, hopefully, it will be an easier process for you. If you are uncertain at any point, it’s always worth it to ask someone who has successfully published for any advice or tips. And, don’t be afraid to contact the journal directly if you have any questions or concerns. Good luck! Last updated on: July 25, 2026

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How Can You Build Meaningful Research Collaborations on SciProfiles?

17 March 2026

NetworkingNavigating Your Career

How Can You Build Meaningful Research Collaborations on SciProfiles?

Connecting with other researchers online is an important part of academic work. Online academic communities give scholars spaces to present their research, follow developments in their fields, and reach beyond their institutional circles. On academic social networking platforms like SciProfiles, researchers can showcase their work and connect with a global research community. But, simply creating a profile does not automatically lead to connection and collaboration. On SciProfiles, there are consistent patterns in conversations around collaboration. Scholars who got good responses and follow-ups were, in general, those who presented themselves in an organized way and who had clearly defined collaboration needs. For early-career researchers, SciProfiles offers a space to engage with scholars with different levels of experience. Junior scholars in particular might find the process of research collaboration to be intimidating, or they may simply not know where to start. This article guides scholars on how to connect more effectively and find potential research collaborators through SciProfiles. Building trust is the foundation of collaboration Research collaboration is a core component of the scientific method. With increased opportunities for academic social networking, researchers can share and discuss ideas more quickly and without geographic limitations. A SciProfiles page displays your professional life. Other scholars get a quick summary of your background, research interests, and area of expertise. Profiles that included the following elements tend to receive more engagement: A professional profile avatar; Current affiliation; Clearly listed research keywords and expertise; Short biography; ORCID integration; Publications. These details help researchers evaluate potential collaborators by aligning interests in research, methodology, and scientific involvement. A full profile makes your intentions clear and makes connections easier. Recent data from our collaboration initiatives confirms this: researchers with comprehensive profiles, including a professional photo, academic bio, research keywords, and publications, are 4-5× more likely to receive a response than users without this information. It indicates that profile completeness increases the chance of a response. In a virtual environment, “completeness of profile” is a signal of trust and reliability. A lack of detail often creates an “information gap.” This can lead potential partners to prioritize other, more transparent connections. Structuring collaboration messages Many scholars say they would welcome the opportunity to collaborate. But, their outreach messages are often vague or generic, such as: “I am interested in collaboration.” “Open to partnerships.” “Let’s connect.” These messages indicate availability, but they do not provide direction. What kind of cooperation is discussed, on which level, and with which focus, is not described. This may mean there is no follow-up. A practical collaboration template To move the conversation forward, we suggest a more structured, high-clarity approach: “I am working on [research topic/project] and looking for a collaborator with [skills/background] to support [specific research need or stage].And I can contribute [your skills/experience/resources] to this collaboration. Please feel free to contact me via SciProfiles Messages to discuss further.” Five pillars of a good collaboration message When drafting a collaboration message, consider addressing these five interrelated components: Research focus Be specific about the research subject and the stage of the project you are working on. Being specific allows others to quickly determine if there is alignment on the research focus. Ideal collaborator profile Be explicit about the technical or methodological gaps you intend to fill. Whether you require a bioinformatician, a clinical lead, or a co-author with specific grant-writing experience, clarity is key. Your contribution Explain what you bring to the collaboration. This could be related to your analytical capabilities, laboratory validation, access to field data, software tools, grant writing experience, or theoretical strength. Academic partnership is a two-way street. Declaring your specific resources or skills early on shows professional maturity and readiness. Intended outcome Specify the goal. Whether it’s a joint grant proposal, a high-impact publication, or a pilot study, defining the “finish line” increases the potential for the collaboration to be successful. Communication channel Encourage follow-up via SciProfiles Messages. Keeping communication within SciProfiles ensures a secure environment for academic discussion. Regular engagement within the platform is a key indicator of reliability and long-term commitment. When collaboration messages include these elements, researchers are able to quickly figure out if their research interests align. As a result, conversations are more likely to move beyond discussion to taking concrete steps to work together. Building effective academic connections Academic partnerships rarely happen by accident. They are usually the result of a clear introduction, a shared research interest, and a willingness to take the conversation a step further. SciProfiles provides the infrastructure for academic visibility. Turning this into a collaboration depends on what you do next. Take a few minutes to strengthen your profile. Make sure your photo, bio, research keywords, expertise, and publications are clearly presented. A complete profile signals credibility and helps other researchers see how you fit into the academic landscape. Then, take action. Use an organized collaboration message to define your project, clarify the skills you are seeking, state what you can contribute, and outline your intended outcome. Instead of showing general interest, begin with a concrete invitation. Most importantly, start the conversation. Reach out through SciProfiles Messages and respond consistently. Use the platform regularly to increase visibility, signal commitment, and build trust over time. Are you ready to initiate your next project? Refine your profile today and start the conversation with precision.

SciProfiles Official

1678

How to Secure Grants and Approach Collaborators

23 January 2026

NetworkingNavigating Your Career

How to Secure Grants and Approach Collaborators

Early-career researchers face an increasingly competitive academic environment and find it difficult to establish stable research paths and lasting collaborations. To provide more insight into these issues, SciProfiles spoke with four seasoned scholars (Dr. Boyaci, Prof. Yuan, Prof. D’Antonio, Prof. Hsu) representing the fields of agriculture, medical science, biochemistry and artificial intelligence. Across these discussions, these scholars noted that the biggest obstacles to collaboration and career are limited funding, lack of access to resources, and performance pressure. Reflecting on these challenges, the scholars shared their perspectives on fostering effective collaborations, improving grant competitiveness, and creating supportive environments for emerging researchers. Principles of effective academic collaboration Effective academic collaboration does not emerge spontaneously, nor is it reducible to informal networking. It is shaped by shared norms, professional judgment, and deliberate choices regarding partners, communication, and expectations. Understanding the essential principles that govern productive collaborations is therefore critical for researchers seeking to establish relationships that are both sustainable and scientifically meaningful. Step 1: Find the right partner While overlapping skill sets can support mutual understanding, strong partnerships are typically strengthened by complementary capabilities that add distinct value. Prof. Yuan emphasized the importance of evaluating how one’s own expertise can meaningfully complement the work of potential collaborators. He suggested carefully studying a potential collaborator’s publications and background and engaging with them through informed, sincere communication. Prof. Hsu highlighted the value of interdisciplinary thinking. He noted that innovation often emerges from integrating diverse fields. Complex problems cannot always be solved by a single discipline, and discussions that lead to breakthroughs are those that span knowledge boundaries. Step 2: Master the outreach Approaching senior or established researchers requires being professional and respectful. Drawing on his experience, Prof. D’Antonio outlined several recommended practices: What to do: Try to meet face-to-face at conferences first and start conversation respectfully; Ask about lab or project capacity in a non-intrusive manner; Start with simple projects, and propose low-complexity collaborations to increase acceptance chances; Follow up with an email after in-person meetings to formally express collaboration intentions, avoiding putting others on the spot. What not to do: Don’t send mass or template emails that show no familiarity with the collaborator’s work. Don’t propose overly complex projects that overlook capacity constraints and reduce feasibility. He stressed the importance of highlighting complementary skills and being prepared to hit the ground running. Starting with small steps can increase the likelihood of acceptance. Step 3: Build sustainable relationships Trust is the foundation of every successful collaboration. Dr. Boyaci noted that transparency and mutual respect are essential to build and sustain trust. A successful collaboration needs to have a shared goal, a clearly articulated plan, and open communication where responsibilities are defined and all participants feel valued. Prof. Hsu added that openness—the willingness to share ideas, data, and perspectives—is essential for innovation. Trust, openness, and interdisciplinary thinking, together, enable collaboration that benefits both academia and industry. Navigating the research funding landscape Securing research funding is a central component of academic practice, particularly for early-career researchers. Beyond scientific originality, funding success depends on strategic alignment, careful interpretation of funding priorities, and the ability to translate research ideas into feasible and credible proposals. Step 4: Align proposals with funding priorities A frequent cause of proposal rejection lies not in scientific merit, but in a misalignment with funding priorities. Prof. Yuan advises researchers to invest as much time studying funding programs as writing the proposal itself and to seek feedback from mentors and peers. Prof. D’Antonio reinforced the importance of ensuring a perfect fit with funding scope and requirements, recommending careful reading of the request for proposal. Step 5: Leverage senior partners to boost credibility According to Dr. Boyaci, strong and experienced partnerships significantly enhance proposal competitiveness. Collaborators with proven track records, publication strength, and project experience provide both scientific credibility and institutional reliability. Clear goals, realistic work plans, and well-defined roles transform ambitious projects into feasible ones. Final mindset: Turn rejection into opportunity Securing research funding is often an iterative process. Prof. D’Antonio emphasized that persistence is a critical skill in academic development. Unsuccessful applications should be viewed as opportunities for refinement rather than endpoints. Incorporating reviewer feedback, revising proposals, and resubmitting are integral to long-term success. Research outcomes are shaped by intellectual rigor, as well as strategic collaboration, professional conduct, and sustained resilience. Developing complementary partnerships, engaging respectfully with peers, and continually refining funding strategies all play crucial roles in academic advancement. For researchers seeking collaborators with skills that complement their research needs, SciProfiles provides a platform to connect with scholars across disciplines and institutions, supporting meaningful and credible scientific exchange. About the Scholars Dr. Hatice Filiz Boyaci: Associate professor of horticultural crops at Recep Tayyip Erdogan Üniversitesi. Dr. Boyaci is an accomplished researcher specializing in eggplant breeding, genetic enhancement, and the cultivation of wild edible vegetables, with a strong focus on climate-resilient agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Professor Yuan Pengxiang: Associate Professor of Otolaryngology & Hed/Neck Surgery in the School of Medicine at Loma Linda University. His research focus on studying the stromal cell properties of thyroid carcinoma toward prevention of tumor relapse and metastasis. Professor Edward L. D’Antonio: Full professor of biochemistry and structural biology at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Over the past decade, Prof. D’Antonio has been studying the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the etiological agent for Chagas’ disease. Professor Chien-Tai Hsu: Chief technology officer at Taiwan Yungui Technology Co., Ltd. and chairman of the Changhua County Homestay Association. His research interests lie in the interdisciplinary integration of artificial intelligence, UAV systems, and blockchain technology, with a strong focus on applying deep learning models to predictive maintenance, intelligent control, and data-driven decision systems. Disclaimer The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the interviewees, and do not necessarily reflect the position or opinions of MDPI or its employees. MDPI takes no responsibility for the content or ideas expressed in this article. Last updated on: July 25, 2026

SciProfiles Official

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